PM chairs high-level meeting to review ramping up of oxygen supply across the country

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 9

More than 1,500 pressure swing absorption oxygen plants are coming up across the nation and the PSA oxygen plants contributed by PM CARES would support more than 4 lakh oxygenated beds.

The details of India’s medical oxygen preparedness came up at a high-level review meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday.

The PM instructed officials to ensure that the plants are made functional at the earliest and to ensure adequate training of hospital staff on operation and maintenance of oxygen plants.

The PM said advanced technology should be deployed to track performance and functioning of oxygen plants.

At the meet to review progress of oxygen augmentation and availability across the country, officials briefed the PM about the progress on installation of PSA oxygen plants.

The meeting was called to assess availability of oxygen amid a probable third wave.

PSA oxygen plants contributed by PM CARES are coming up in all states and districts of the country, officials said.

The PM was informed that once all PSA oxygen plants coming up through PM CARES become functional, they would support more than 4 lakh oxygenated beds.

The PM instructed the officials to work closely with the state governments for the same.

Officers informed the PM that they are in regular touch with officers from state governments about fast-tracking the oxygen plants.

The PM asked officials to ensure there is adequate training of hospital staff on operation and maintenance of oxygen plants.

He also directed officials to ensure that each district had trained personnel available.

Officials informed him that there is a training module prepared by experts and they are targeting training of around 8,000 people across the country.

Officials informed the PM about a pilot project being done using tracking technology for monitoring the performance of the oxygen plants.

Principal Secretary to PM, Cabinet Secretary, Secretary Health, Secretary Urban Development and other important officials were present at the meeting.