The Union Ministry of Health held a second meeting with states on Monday on the issue of rationalizing the supply of medical oxygen across the country, asking them to pressure more tanker trucks to take action, reuse similar vehicles to transport oxygen and take steps to reduce your response time. so that Covid-19 patients have access to adequate oxygen.
States were also asked to begin real-time monitoring of all tanker trucks carrying medical oxygen supplies; conduct an oxygen consumption audit, ensure oxygen is only administered to cases requiring medical oxygenation, prevent negligent leaks, and improve oxygen storage capacity in hospitals.
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About 6% of active Covid-19 cases, experiencing moderate to severe symptoms, require oxygen support.
The supply gap has been largely noticed in the northeastern states, where a total of 11 tankers in the state of Assam supply oxygen to most of the eight states.
“There are other states that do not have a manufacturing unit and depend on other states for supply. All the states have been asked to assess the need and draw up a plan so that there is no shortage at any time, ”said a senior health ministry official, who did not want to be named.
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States were specifically asked to monitor cryogenic tankers used to deliver oxygen in real time; reuse argon and nitrogen tanker trucks to increase numbers; and not impose restrictions on the free flow of oxygen.
The Health Ministry reiterated the guidelines of its notice on Sunday, asking states to ensure oxygen inventory management at facilities and hospitals and advance planning for timely refueling, and to provide a green corridor for oxygen tanks. liquid medical oxygen within cities.
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