Defence Ministry plans to procure National Hospital Ship for Indian Navy

New Delhi: The Ministry of Defence is planning to procure One National Hospital Ship (NHS) for the Indian Navy. According to the sources, the specialised Ship will be capable to provide Primary and Secondary medical care to the patients onboard the ship. They further said that initially one NHS is proposed to be acquired, and the anticipated delivery timeline for the first vessel will be a maximum of 48 months from the date of the contract.

As per the Ministry, Shipyards are to submit the option of providing upcoming technologies, if any, which will meet the intended purpose of the National Hospital Ship and enhance its employability.

They said, "the detailed design of the ship should incorporate a high degree of automation and efficiency enablers. Shipyard needs to specifically indicate the degree of automation, details of such efficiency enablers and which new technology will be offered with the NHS."

The vessel will comply with the Geneva Convention and accordingly painted white with the Red Cross displayed prominently on the ship side and on top. Including the patients (maximum number 250) and hospital staff of 117, the maximum number of persons embarked onboard the ship would be approx. 600.

The ship will consist of 15 officers and 120 sailors 22 Medical Staff 14 Military Nursing Service (MNS) and 81 sailors. Therefore the Ship is to comply with the requirements of Safe Return to Port (SRtP).

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