Rationalization of O2 hits expansion of Covid facilities

Vadodara: The expansion of Covid-19 treatment facilities in Vadodara was put on hold due the rationalisation of oxygen being supplied to hospitals. As of now, the city will get oxygen only for the existing treatment infrastructure.
The administration on Friday kept the expansion of treatment facilities on GMERS Gotri Hospital on hold. On Saturday, minister of state for Narmada and urban housing Yogesh Patel said that no new hospital or Covid Care Centres will be given oxygen by the government.
On Saturday, Patel held a meeting with Vadodara’s top officials, officer on special duty for Covid-19 Vinod Rao and elected representatives. Later, Patel pointed out that the supply of oxygen to existing private and government Covid hospitals would continue uninterrupted. “The government will ensure that the existing system does not break down,” he said.
Patel said that the district was currently getting 160metric tonnes of oxygen per day. “We discussed how the situation can be managed if the demand increases. We will try and ensure that oxygen is not wasted in hospitals,” he said.
Rao said that most patients, coming from nearby towns and villages, reach Vadodara in critical condition and need oxygen. He added that currently there were several empty beds in city hospitals but when these get occupied the demand of oxygen would increase.
The elected representatives from the city were planning to meet the CM to discuss the issue, but dropped plans after a telephonic conversation of CM with Patel.