Gujarat’s daily oxygen shortfall reaches 200 metric tonnes

GANDHINAGAR: Even as 1,000 tonnes of medical oxygen are available daily, the demand for the essential gas has risen to 1,150-1,200 metric tonnes in the state, a shortfall of about 200 tonnes per day.
Gujarat is facing an acute demand-supply gap of medical oxygen as cases of Covid-19 patients requiring oxygen continue to pile up across hospitals in the state.
According to top government sources, the demand for medical oxygen in the state has reached between 1,150 and 1,200 metric tonnes daily. “This means that we are today facing a shortfall of between 150 MT and 200 MT of medical oxygen. The state government has introduced strict medical oxygen audit measures to ensure there is no wastage. Prevention of losses during transportation and handling will increase availability of resources,” said a source in the government.
In addition, hospitals have been asked to rationalise the use of oxygen for optimum gain. Local district authorities have also been asked to source oxygen requirements from local unorganized suppliers, who do not come under the purview of the present central government regulations.
Sources further said that fortunately, there is no drastic increase in medical oxygen demand over the past three days and the government expects the demand to stabilize now. “If there is a marked increase in demand for medical oxygen, we will have to make a representation to the central government, but we hope demand will further reduce in the next couple of days,”said sources.
The peak demand for medical oxygen was seen around Diwali last year, when the requirement rose to 220 tonnes per day. Until March 15, the maximum medical oxygen demand hovered around 150 MT mark.