DW BUREAU / PATIALA Responding to the appeal of Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, the Indian Army's Western Command today formally launched the 100 bedded COVID facility, at Sri Guru Nanak Dev Super Specialty Block of Rajindra Hospital, today, in the presence of former Union Minister and MP Patiala Preneet Kaur. Major General Mohit Malhotra, SM, General officer commanding Airawat Division, was present on the occasion. This is the third facility which has been established by the Army's Western Command in conjunction with the civil administration for augmenting the medical infrastructure to fight the pandemic. A dedicated team of doctors and HCWs of the Indian Army have commenced the functioning of this hospital on the second floor of the newly created Super Specialty building of Rajindra Hospital. MP Preneet Kaur while expressing gratitude, on behalf of Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, to the services being rendered under the aegis of Western Command of the Indian Army, said that it will enhance the State government's effort to fight the pandemic and also provide an opportunity to the Army to contribute towards the national cause of containing the spread of the deadly virus so as to eventually make the country COVID free. She further said that with the 25 percent increase in bed capacity, the number of beds would be increased to 720 in the near future including 100 from the Army. She lauded the doctors, nursing staff and other staff of Rajindra Hospital and hoped that their efforts would bear fruit and we would definitely win the war against pandemic. Brigadier Atul Bhatt said that under the leadership of GOC-in-C of Western Command Lt. Gen. R P Singh, AVSM, VSM, the Western Command of the Indian Army is constantly on the lookout to serve the citizens of the country and under this the patients infected with COVID would be treated here at Rajindra Hospital with utmost dedication by Army doctors and paramedics in collaboration with the hospital and district administration. Col. Jasjeet Sandhu, Coordinating Officer, Western Command, said that the Western Command was extending full support to the state government in dealing with this deadly pandemic. Colonel Sandhu said that Indian Army was contributing in every possible way to make the country Covid free and army doctors were also taking care of covid patients as front line warriors. The Commanding Officer of the army unit operating this hospital, Col Dr Manoj Kumar Sharma said that as per the ICMR guidelines, doctors, other medical and ancillary and administrative staff members will be on duty 24x7. As per the guidelines, in addition to this, they have also an ambulance equipped with all the necessary facilities, besides other necessary equipment. Welcoming the Indian Army on their arrival, Surbhi Malik, Covid Care Incharge, thanked them and said that the Rajindra Hospital was receiving Covid patients not only from Patiala but also from other districts of Punjab and many other states. (editor@dailyworld.in)