Ensure Buffer Stock Of Oxygen For 48 Hours: Centre To States Amid COVID-19 Case Surge

Mumbai: Centre has written to states and UTs to take immediate measures to ensure optimal availability of medical oxygen at health facilities in view of the COVID-19 case surge.

In his letter, Bhushan said that states and union territories should have a buffer stock of adequate medical oxygen for at least 48 hours in health facilities providing patient care and ensuring the proper functioning and adequate oxygen concentration of PSA plants.

“As you know, the country has witnessed a significant increase in COVID-19 cases. Taking cognizance of the importance of medical oxygen during the pandemic, the Government of India has actively and consistently supported all States/UTs in strengthening health systems with regard to medical oxygen infrastructure. The emerging scenario calls for immediate measures by states/UTs to ensure optimal availability of medical oxygen at all concerned health facilities,” he noted in the letter.

He directed all the concerned departments to ensure the following:

1. i) Adequate buffer stock of medical oxygen-All health facilities providing In-patient care and oxygen therapy should have a buffer stock of medical oxygen sufficient for at least 48 hrs.
2. ii) Availability of Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO) – The LMO tanks at the health facilities should be sufficiently filled and an uninterrupted supply chain for their refilling should be ensured.
3. Functional Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) Plants – Health facilities across the country have been strengthened with PSA plants. It is important to ensure that these PSA plants are kept fully functional. All steps should be taken for the proper upkeep and maintenance of such plants.
4. Adequate Inventory of Oxygen Cylinders – All the health facilities should have an adequate inventory of oxygen cylinders along with back-up stocks and robust refilling systems. It should also be ensured that these cylinders are filled and kept ready.
5. A Sufficient number of Oxygen Concentrators – All districts should ensure that oxygen concentrators supplied to them are fully functional. Their proper up keep and maintenance need to be ensured.
6. Availability of Life Support Equipment – All higher-level health facilities should have life support equipment including Ventilators, BiPAP, Sp02 systems and associated consumables in sufficient numbers to respond to the emerging needs.
7. Adherence to disinfection protocol – All infection prevention protocols should be adopted while using the oxygen delivery devices and equipment at all health.
8. Oxygen Control rooms – The oxygen control rooms should be reinvigorated at State / UT level for prompt resolutions of oxygen-related issues and challenges.
9. All the states to ensure onboarding of all healthcare facilities utilizing oxygen to ODAS digital platform, directly or through State API’s. With timely preparations and responsiveness, I am confident that we will be able to meet the challenges ahead of us.

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