Coronavirus / 100 new hospitals to have their own oxygen plant under PM CARES Fund

Coronavirus: Amid growing cases of corona virus, there has been an outcry across the country ranging from lack of oxygen to beds in hospitals. Meanwhile, the central government on Thursday took a major decision to meet the shortage of essential medical equipment and oxygen in view of the increasing cases of corona. The government has said that 100 new hospitals will have their own oxygen plant under the PM Cares Fund. According to the news agency ANI, the government has said that oxygen plants will be set up in 100 new hospitals under the PM Care Fund and 50,000 metric tons of medical oxygen will also be imported.

The Center said on Thursday that tenders would be invited for 50,000 metric tonnes of oxygen due to rising cases of Kovid-19, while its resources and production capacity have been identified to meet the needs of 12 states with extreme cases. It said that the Union Health Ministry has also been instructed to complete the tender process for this and explore potential resources for the identified imports by the missions of the Ministry of External Affairs.

The Health Ministry said in a statement that it is issuing orders in this regard and it will be notified by the Ministry of Home Affairs. These 12 states in need include Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan. Indeed, the Empowered Group 2 (EG2) meeting was held on Thursday to review the availability of essential medical equipment and oxygen. The meeting identified 4880 metric tonnes, 5619 metric tonnes and 6593 metric tonnes of oxygen needs for the 12 states with the most needs, which will meet their projected demand on April 20, April 25 and April 30, respectively.

A statement from the Ministry of Health stated that Empowered Group 2 (EG2) is reviewing the supply and demand status of medical oxygen and is taking appropriate steps to meet it. The statement said that medical oxygen corona is an important component in the treatment of infected patients. Explain that the demand for oxygen has increased from UP to Mumbai amid increasing cases of corona.

The Center said that with increasing cases of corona infection, medical oxygen consumption would have to keep pace with the requirements of the states. The Union Health Ministry said that medical oxygen is an important component in the treatment of Kovid-19 patients. An inter-ministerial strength group of officials was formed during the Kovid-19 epidemic in March 2020 to provide medical equipment, including medical oxygen, to the states affected by the pandemic. The ministry said, "Production in oxygen manufacturing units has been increased." Stock already exists. At present, oxygen is present in sufficient quantity. '

The ministry said in a statement that in addition to this, states have also been instructed to set up control rooms and review the requirement of cylinders and tankers to ensure smooth supply of oxygen as per the requirement. According to the statement, states with high numbers of infections are being reviewed daily by the Department of Industry and Internal Trade Promotion (DPIIT), along with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Steel. Oxygen manufacturers and steel units are also present in these meetings.

As a result, it has helped in providing initial support to the states for facilitating oxygen supply, resolving issues arising between the two states on supply or tanker movement, etc. As per the guidelines of Empowered Group-2, DPIIT, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Steel, Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization (PESO), All India Industrial with key stakeholders including representatives of various severely affected states, oxygen manufacturers On the basis of detailed daily consultations between officials of the Gas Manufacturers Association (AIIGMA), preparations are being made for a detailed daily mapping of sources for the supply of medical oxygen to the affected states to ensure uninterrupted supply of medical oxygen.

According to the ministry, the country has an adequate production capacity of about 7,127 MT for oxygen and surplus oxygen available with steel plants is also being utilized, as required. The country has a daily production capacity of 7,127 MT of oxygen per day. It has been instructed by EG-2 that the total production has been 100 percent for the last two days, as the supply of medical oxygen has increased very fast. On 12 April 2021, medical oxygen consumption in the country was 3,842 MT, which is 54 percent of the daily production capacity.

It states that the maximum consumption of medical oxygen in the country is being consumed by states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, followed by Chhattisgarh, Punjab, Rajasthan. According to the statement, "The current oxygen stock of the country, including industrial oxygen stocks with manufacturing plants, is more than 50,000 MT." With the increase in production and available surplus stock in oxygen manufacturing units, the current availability of oxygen is sufficient.