Three oxygen plants at Ludhiana government hospitals to be ready in 10 days

LUDHIANA: Amid the possibility of third Covid wave, three oxygen plants at government hospitals are expected to be ready in next 10 days. The district administration has also got approval for two more oxygen plants. During the second surge, it was challenging for the administration to meet the oxygen demand.
Raikot SDM Dr Himanshu Gupta, who is monitoring the setting up of oxygen plants in hospitals, said, “Three oxygen plants—one each at Ludhiana civil hospital, Mother and Child Hospital (MCH), Vardhman, and sub-divisional hospital (SDH), Raikot—are likely to be installed in 10 days. Two more oxygen plants have also been allotted for UCHC (community health centre) in Jawaddi and SDH, Khanna. We are hopeful of getting a plant allotted for government-operated Covid care centre at Rara Sahib through a donor.”
“One oxygen plant is being installed at a private hospital with the help of an industrial organization. Two more private hospitals have shown interest in their installation,” he added.
The district administration officials said two 1,000 litre per minute (LPM) plants are coming up at civil hospital and ESI Hospital in Ludhiana, which are being sent by the Central government and peripheral expenditure, including making of base of plant, DG set and electricity connection, was being done by the Punjab government from state disaster relief fund.
They added four plants were being installed through donations: the 250 LPM plant at Raikot SDH, 100 LPM at Vardhman MCH, 100 LPM at Samrala SDH and 500 LPM at a private hospital here, which is being funded by the CII.
“These plants use natural air as per latest technology which is different from oxygen cylinders and liquid medical oxygen being used earlier. UCHC, Jawaddi, plant will have a capacity of making 165 LPM and that at SDH, Khanna, of 300 LPM,” the Raikot SDM said.
The officials said the plant at SDH, Raikot, got delayed due to power crisis as Nabha power officials, who have to install it, were busy.
As of now, Ludhiana civil hospital has an oxygen plant of 700 LPM. Its authorities said another 1,000 LPM plant coming up on the premises is expected to meet the peak demand.
“It is important to make arrangements for adequate infrastructure and trained staff in hospitals, ahead of the probable third wave,” said Ludhiana IMA president Dr Saroj Aggarwal.