Learning lessons from the second Covid-19 wave when the country faced severe shortage of Oxygen resulting in several deaths and serious illness across the country, the Centre on Thursday said that 3,631 oxygen PSA plants are being installed in the country—nearly half of which will be installed through central resources, a move planned amid a looming threat of the third Covid wave in India.
These plants will have the capacity to generate about 4,800 MT of medical oxygen. “Of the planned oxygen plants to be installed in hospitals, 1,595 or about 47% have already been commissioned,” Union health secretary Rajesh Bhushan said in a press briefing on Thursday.
As per the details shared, of the total 3,651 PSA plants sanctioned with 4,751 MT capacity generation when commissioned, 1,491 plants with 2,281 MT have been commissioned with central support.
Nearly 2,140 with 2,289 MT capacity on the other hand are planned with the states and other sources such as states, urban local bodies, MPLAD, and through CSR activities.
Of the 1,595 PSA plants commissioned so far with a capacity of 2,088 MT medical oxygen generation, 731 (with 1024 MT) PSA plants have been set up with central resources.
These plants are of utmost importance given that the second wave of the pandemic had triggered a massive shortage of the crucial oxygen supply in most parts of the country during April-May this year.
The official, while noting that situation in Mizoram with Covid cases surging, also urged states to prepare ahead for any potential spike highlighting that as the situation is stable with cases reducing
even in Kerala, the months of October and November would be critical given the festive season.
“The next quarter will be critical. We advise states and municipal corporations to prepare ahead to ensure best models of home care and also to prepare infrastructure,” V K Paul, Niti Aayog member said.