Apart from corona infection in the country, the central government had planned to increase the number of oxygen beds and ventilators to further strengthen serious medical services.
Last year, these ventilators were also allocated through the Prime Minister's Relief Fund. Due to which more than 56,000 ventilators have been allocated so far, but out of these, only 42,000 ventilators are in running condition.
The rest are still waiting for the sealed packs to reach the hospital or are in the process of procurement. As against the target, 24 percent 70 percent are still not available to the patients. Only UP has been allotted more than 6000 but out of these only 4258 are available to patients.
In fact, in the second wave, apart from oxygen beds, there was a severe shortage of ICU, ventilators. During the first wave when the cases were reported. Then the government had guessed that there might not be much need, but after different mutations, the situation became dire. If adequate arrangements are not made, there will be trouble in the third wave.
Buy 50 thousand from PM Relief Fund
The Union Health Ministry has informed in response to an RTI that 59873 ventilators have been procured through eight different companies. Out of which 56,043 ventilators are in the process of allocation. Out of these 56,043, only 47,130 ventilators have been allotted so far, of which 42,419 are currently in working condition. Out of 59,873 liters, the government has procured 50,000 liters through the Prime Minister's Relief Fund.
1.23 crore Remdesivir injections given to states
RTI activist Ram Kumar Garg, the resident of Chandigarh, was informed by the ministry that 422.79 lakh masks have been allotted by the Center so far. While 176.91 lakh PPE kits and 1.23 crore Remdesivir have been provided to the states. There is no information about the operation of ventilators or the current status at the hospital level. The ventilators are allotted to the states from where they are being given to the hospitals.