Russian Defence Minister Reports on COVID-19 Response in Armed Forces

Strategic Insights -

Russian Defence Minister General of the Army Sergei Shoigu reported on the ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic within the Russian Armed Forces during a meeting with the National Centre for State Defence Control. According to the minister, significant vaccination efforts have been undertaken, with over 8.5 thousand servicemen already receiving a vaccine against coronavirus infection. Furthermore, a substantial number of medical teams and beds have been deployed to treat infected personnel, with over 13,000 civilian patients also being treated in military medical organizations. The minister also highlighted the effectiveness of telemedicine and the use of sanitary aviation to evacuate patients.

Key Takeaways:

  • Over 8.5 thousand servicemen of the Russian Armed Forces have received a vaccine against coronavirus infection, with plans to receive up to 100,000 doses by the end of the year.
  • 14.5 thousand doses of vaccine have been received, with distribution occurring to military districts, the Northern Fleet, and the central office of the Russian Ministry of Defence.
  • More than 300 medical teams were formed for vaccination, with over 8 thousand beds deployed in military medical institutions to treat infected personnel.
  • Military medical institutions have treated over 13,000 civilian patients, with around half of the beds being used for non-military personnel.
  • Computed tomographs are being used for diagnostics, with 59 operating around the clock in military medical institutions, performing around 2 thousand examinations per day.
  • Over 82 thousand conscripts were sent to the Armed Forces as part of the autumn draft, with continuous examination and testing conducted to prevent the sending of patients with coronavirus infection to the troops.
  • The Ministry of Defence used over 800 reanimation vehicles, 18 helicopters, and 9 aircraft with medical modules to evacuate patients with a new coronavirus infection.
  • Sanitary aviation made 191 flights, with 630 patients evacuated in severe and extremely severe condition.
  • Telemedicine showed increased effectiveness, with remote consultations of military doctors increasing fivefold during the pandemic.
  • A temporary centre for 1,420 beds was formed at the Patriot Convention and Exhibition Centre, where 673 military medical specialists work and more than 2.7 thousand patients received assistance.

Statistics:

  • Over 8.5 thousand servicemen of the Russian Armed Forces have received a vaccine against coronavirus infection.
  • 14.5 thousand doses of vaccine have been received for distribution.
  • 300 medical teams have been formed for vaccination.
  • Over 8 thousand beds are deployed in military medical institutions to treat infected personnel.
  • 13,000 civilian patients have been treated in military medical organizations.
  • 59 computed tomographs operate around the clock in military medical institutions, performing around 2 thousand examinations per day.
  • Over 82 thousand conscripts were sent to the Armed Forces as part of the autumn draft.
  • 800 reanimation vehicles, 18 helicopters, and 9 aircraft with medical modules were used to evacuate patients with a new coronavirus infection.
  • 191 flights were made by sanitary aviation, with 630 patients evacuated in severe and extremely severe condition.
  • Remote consultations of military doctors increased fivefold during the pandemic.
  • Over 2.7 thousand patients received assistance from military medics at the temporary centre.

Sources:

  • "National Centre for State Defence Control"
  • Al Bawaba (Albawaba.com)
  • "Russian Defence Minister Reports on COVID-19 Response in Armed Forces" (Syndigate.info)