Eastern Naval Command Trains Non-Medical Naval Personnel as Force Multipliers to Tackle COVID-19

Eastern Naval Command Trains Non-Medical Naval Personnel as Force Multipliers to Tackle COVID-19

In order to cater to a large number of patients requiring medical and emotional succour during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, ENC is undertaking training of non-medical naval personnel as Battle Field Nursing Assistant (BFNA) to lend a helping hand to the Doctor's and Paramedics in treating the COVID Patients in Quarantine and Isolation Facilities. The training commenced at all Stations under ENC from 30 March 2020 in small batches consisting of a team of 6 personnel each. 313 personnel including 37 officers have been trained at naval units at Visakhapatnam, Chennai and Kolkata as on 04 April 2020. The training will be continued and is aimed to cover and train at least 75% of non-medical personnel.

Collation of information on COVID 19 for prevention, management, casualty carriage for transfer and protect self by donning the PPE and disinfection have been taught to the officers and sailors along with defence civilians including ladies. The training emphasizes the importance of PPE by health professionals, Social Distancing to prevent and contain the spread of the Corona Virus by all personnel. The command is preparing to create facilities for COVID Beds at ENC including INHS Kalyani the premier naval hospital in addition to a Wellness Centre with a quarantine facility for 185 personnel at Visakhapatnam.