Prime Minister appreciates efforts beyond call of duty: Letters of appreciation signed by PM given to Doctors, Nursing officers and Air India employees for their dedication in Wuhan evacuation

“‘Strength through diversity’ gets expression in the collective effort. This is how the bravery and commendable feat of the ten doctors and paramedic staff has been appreciated by our Hon. Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modiji”, said Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare during the felicitation ceremony of handing over the appreciation letters from Hon’ble Prime Minister to the team of Doctors & Nursing Officers from Dr RML Hospital and Safdurjung Hospital who were part of the team that was successful in evacuating 645 India citizens and 7 Maldivan citizens from Wuhan in China, which has been the epicentre of COVID19, in New Delhi on February 17.

The Hon. Prime Minister commends the “grit, determination and compassion displayed by the rescue team” and states that “it proves that the true test of character lies in adversity”. The appreciation letter further states that “In such a scenario, the evacuation of Indian citizens in distress has not only given relief to those rescued but has also reassured the Indian diaspora settled across the globe that in time of crisis, the entire nation stands firmly united. Your indefatigable effort inspires every citizen to serve the nation with dedication and commitment”.

Dr. Harsh Vardhan congratulated each and every member of the two teams who had gone out to Wuhan, China as part ofthe evacuation mission on 1st and 2nd February, 2020. He also appreciated their efforts by stating that for a medical professional it’s just not a duty but it is a responsibility to help our fellow citizens in times of distress and this has been displayed very gracefully by our team.

He handed over the appreciation letters to the following medical team members:

DrAnand Vishal, Associated Professor of Medicine, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital

DrPulin Gupta, Professor of Internal Medicine, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital

DrYogesh Chandra Porwal, Professor and Consultant, Internal Medicine, Safdarjung Hospital

DrRupali Malik, Associate Professor of Internal Medicine, Safdarjung Hospital

Dr Sujata Arya, Public Health Specialist, Airport Health Organization, New Delhi

DrSanjeetPanesar, Assistant Professor, Community Medicine, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital

Sh Manu Joseph, Nursing Officer, Safdarjung Hospital

ShRajnish Kumar, Nursing Officer Safdarjung Hospital

ShAjo Jose, Nursing Officer, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital

ShSarathPrem, Nursing Officer, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital

Dr Harsh Vardhan also interacted with the evacuees from Wuhan who have been housed at ITBP camp, and many of whom are being discharged to leave for their homes. These have all been found to be negative of COVID19and will be going back to their homes in phases. “It is indeed a proud and satisfying moment for all of us, that our fellow citizens who have returned from Wuhan have been found to be healthy”, Dr Harsh Vardhan stated.

Dr Harsh Vardhan also informed that as on date 3,21,375 passengers from 2996 flights and 6,387 passengers from 125 ships were screened. 2,571 samples across 15 laboratories across India have been tested and only 3 samples have been found positive. He also said that 2 patients among the 3 positive cases found in Kerala have been discharged and condition of the third one is stable. The call centre established at the central level has got 4,400 calls among which 390 international calls have been received so far. More than 360 emails have been received and responded on COVID19.

Ms. Preeti Sudan, Secretary (HFW), Sh. Sanjeeva Kumar, Special Secretary (Health), Sh. Lav Agarwal, Joint Secretary along with other officials from Ministry of Health & Family Welfare were present during the felicitation ceremony.Sh. Sanjeeva Kumar, Special Secretary (Health), and Dr T N Mishra, Director (Medical), ITBP were also present during the visit of the Union Health Minister at the ITBP camp.

Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister(I/C), Civil Aviation, today handed over the letters of appreciation issued by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to the 68 Air India Staff, who conducted evacuation operation of the Indians stranded at Wuhan. Shri Pradeep Singh Kharola, Secretary, Civil Aviation, Shri Rajeev Bansal, CMD, Air India, Shri Ashwani Lohani, Ex-CMD Air India along with other senior officials from Ministry of Civil Aviation and Air India were present on the occasion. A total of 647 Indians, as well 7 Maldivians, were evacuated from the Chinese city of Wuhan, the epicentre of the Novel Corona Virus Flu.

Appreciating the team’s effort, Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, the Civil Aviation Minister said, “We are proud of the intensive commitment shown by the Air India team to bring home their countrymen in spite of very trying conditions in the epidemic-hit Wuhan.” He further added, “I feel proud to confer the appreciation of our Prime Minister expressed through personal letters to all those who had been part of this historic mission. I heartily thank all of them once again for their service to the nation.”

An emergency evacuation operation from the Wuhan city was executed by the crew of Air India, which sent two 423-seater B-747 aircraft for two consecutive days, on 31st of January 2020 and on 1stof February 2020 despite being aware of the severe situation in the region. The operation was led by Captain Amitabh Singh, Director Operations, Air India with 68 members of Air India. The Air India team consisted of 8 pilots, 30 cabin crew, 10 commercial staff and one senior officer. The heroic act received appreciation and acknowledgement from people all over the world.