A Covid-19 patient receives free oxygen during an “oxygen langar” organized on May 11, 2021 in a Gurudwara in Ghaziabad (Photo credit: PTI)
No state / UT reported Covid-19 patient deaths due to lack of liquid medical oxygen (LMO) during the second wave, the central government said Tuesday.
The statement was in the form of a written response to a question from Congressman KC Venugopal in the Rajya Sabha.
Venugopal had asked if “it is a fact that a large number of Covid-19 patient died on streets and hospitals for acute oxygen shortages “in the second wave. He had also requested a government response to the total oxygen demand by the states and LMOs supplied to states in the past three months.
READ: Why India ran out of oxygen when capacity increased by more than 125%
The government should take steps to ensure there is no oxygen starvation in the country as experts believe large numbers of patients will need oxygen if a third wave of Covid-19 infections hits India, the Congressman wrote.
Relatives of Covid-19 patients waiting in line at IMT Manesar near Gurugram on May 5, 2021 to refill oxygen tanks (Image credit: PTI)
In response, the center said health was a “government issue” and it was the responsibility of states to regularly report Covid-19 cases and deaths to the Union Department of Health.
“However, no oxygen starvation deaths have been specifically reported by states / UTs,” the Department of Health said.
It added that the Demand for LMO in the country peaked at nearly 9,000 MT (metric ton) during the second wave compared to 3,095 MT (metric ton) during the first wave.
“1,222 PSA oxygen systems sanctioned”
The center also highlighted steps taken to reduce the shortage of liquid medical oxygen, including restrictions on the industrial use of oxygen and guidelines for the rational use of LMO.
A PSA oxygen system at a Covid care center in the village of CWG near Akshardham in New Delhi (Photo credit: PTI)
“A total of 4.02.517 oxygen cylinders were / are being procured and distributed to the states. In addition, 1,222 PSA oxygen generation systems were sanctioned. Of these, 237 systems were put into operation as of July 15, 2021. In addition, 295 PSA systems are being installed by various ministries, ”the response from the Ministry of Health said.
The ministry also reiterated that 1,050 liquid medical oxygen (LMO) tanks were approved along with MGPS (Central Medical Oxygen Gas Pipeline System) at a cost of Rs 80 lakh each under the second Covid emergency package approved by Cabinet in July was 8.
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