Chairing a high-level meeting on Friday, 9 July, to review the augmentation and availability of medical oxygen across India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told officials to ensure that PSA oxygen plants are made functional at the earliest.
"More than 1,500 PSA oxygen plants are coming up across the nation, with contribution sfrom PM CARES as well as various ministries and PSUs. PSA oxygen plants contributed by PM CARES are coming up in all states and districts of the country. The PM was informed that once all PSA Oxygen plants coming up through PM CARES are functional, they would support more than 4 lakh oxygenated beds," a statement by the PM's office said.
Modi also asked officials to ensure adequate training of hospital staffers on operation and maintenance of the oxygen plants and called for the deployment of advanced technology like Internet of things (IoT) to track the performance and functioning of the oxygen plants, the statement read. "Officials apprised the PM about a pilot project being undertaken using IoT for monitoring the performance of the oxygen plants," it added.
Dire Oxygen Shortage Amid 2nd COVID Wave
This meeting comes weeks after widespread oxygen shortage was reported across the country amid the devastating second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The months of April and May were marked by acute shortages of hospital beds, medical oxygen, and essential medicines and equipment in the country, leading to scores of avoidable deaths, as citizens scrambled for help on social media.
Various measures were taken by the Centre to increase the production and supply of oxygen while aid was also received from various other countries to boost India's oxygen capacity.
With the second wave having ebbed, concerns have been raised over an imminent third wave of the pandemic with restrictions having been eased.
On Friday, India reported 43,393 new coronavirus cases, taking the tally in the country to 3,07,52,950. The death toll increased by 911 to 4,05,939.
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