New Delhi (NVI): In the wake of Covid-19 pandemic, there is adequate availability, storage, transport and supply of Medical Oxygen in the country.
Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, today reviewed the Medical Oxygen supply and enhancement of capacity storage in the country.
The officials of the Department of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) informed the minister that as of now, there is no major problem reported in manufacturing, storage, transport and supply of Medical Oxygen.
Medical oxygen is the primary treatment for the majority of patients who are suffering from severe COVID-19 symptoms, as they complain of breathlessness and severe respiratory distress.
Held a meeting with Government officials and reviewed the pan-India status of availability of Medical Oxygen and supply.
Also, discussed the future course of action to increase availability of oxygen and combat COVID-19. pic.twitter.com/O5GYMUCvbq
— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) July 17, 2020
Notably, the average monthly consumption of Medical Oxygen was 902 MT per day in April, 2020, and had gone upto 1512 MT per day by July 15, 2020. Although the demand has increased, there is sufficient stock of over 15 thousand MT in the country, as of now.
Piyush Goyal said, “The adequate arrangements should be in place for any eventuality or sudden spurt in demand. He directed that special care should be taken to make available the Oxygen supply in those areas where connectivity gets affected at this time of the year, due to adverse weather conditions.”
It was also observed that the overall position of the present production and supply of Medical Oxygen, as compared to the total projection of the requirement by end of this month, is comfortable in all the states.
In states and districts, where the active cases are larger in number, the position of supply and storage is adequate. Similarly, appropriate arrangements have been made for making available Medical Oxygen at remote places.
During the review meeting, it was highlighted that the percentage of total Covid-19 cases on Oxygen including those in ICU, has declined to 4.58 percent since yesterday. Medical Oxygen storage capacity is also being enhanced by almost 10 percent from 5,938 MT, as on March 1, 2020.
-CHK
