Even as the demand for liquid medical oxygen (LMO) in the country continues to rise amid the second Covid-19 wave, the supply of the life-saving gas is nearing the 1,000-tonnes-per-day mark in Uttar Pradesh.
During the past 24 hours, the state witnessed supply and distribution of about 950 tonnes of LMO, and the government is now taking steps to increase supply further.
LMO has been supplied to the worst-affected districts of Lucknow and Kanpur by the Oxygen Express, and the special cargo trains are now being arranged for Gorakhpur and adjoining districts.
UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath today said the state government was working 24X7 to improve the LMO situation in other districts, including Gautam Buddha Nagar (Noida), Ghaziabad and Saharanpur, which flank the National Capital Region (NCR).
In fact, the state is preparing to float a global tender for urgent procurement of cryogenic tankers to overcome the unfolding oxygen crisis. Currently, 89 tankers have been pressed into service to transport medical oxygen in UP.
Recently, the Centre had simplified the import of oxygen cylinders and cryogenic tankers in India, which is battling a stiff second wave. The union commerce and industry ministry would facilitate speedy online approval for such vital imports.
Meanwhile, the Adityanath government has intensified oxygen audit, which has also revealed disproportionate consumption of the commodity in some hospitals. The state is looking at ensuring seamless supply and demand based allocation of the commodity to the affected districts.
In wake of the improving O2 matrix in UP, the CM today directed health officials to arrange for 100,000 beds in level 1 and level 2 Covid hospitals. The state medical education department has been asked to arrange for oxygen supported Covid beds in the coming weeks. The state will also seek the cooperation of the private sector hospitals.
The government is working to ensure the ready availability of Covid drugs, such as Remdesivir. So far, the Centre has supplied nearly 0.5 million vials, which would suffice for utilisation in UP till May 16. The state administers these drugs for free in government hospitals.
Dear Reader,
Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance.
We, however, have a request.
As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed.
Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard.
Digital Editor
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU