Medical Oxygen Supply Increased From 1,273 Metric Tonnes In February To 4,739 Metric Tonnes On 17 April: Report

Amid concerns over the shortage of medical oxygen, the medical oxygen supply has been increased by nearly four times from 1,273 metric tonnes in a day in the last week of February to 4,739 metric tonnes in a day on 17 April, government sources said on Tuesday (20 April), reports Rediff News.

The Central government has taken several steps to boost the supply of oxygen to hospitals.

On Thursday (15 April), Empowered Group-2 (EG2) decided for early completion of 162 PSA plants sanctioned under the PM-Cares fund.

EG2 also directed the Health Ministry to identify another 100 hospitals in far flung locations for installation of PSA plants.

In view of increasing demand for medical oxygen, EG2 decided to float a tender for import of 50,000 MT of medical oxygen.

Along with the government, several Public Sector Enterprises (PSU) and private companies are doing their bit by diverting their raw materials and machinery to increase the availability of medical grade liquid oxygen.

India's largest refiner, Indian Oil Corporation (IndianOil), on Monday (19 April) said it has begun the supply of 150 MT of medical oxygen at "no cost" to various hospitals in Delhi, Haryana and Punjab.

The first batch of the lifesaver medical grade Oxygen was dispatched on Monday to Maha Durga Charitable Trust Hospital, New Delhi.

On the other hand, Reliance Industries is supplying 100 metric tonnes of oxygen to Maharashtra from its Jamnagar plant.