Prioritise sites for oxygen plants: Centre

Chandigarh, June 18

The Centre has asked Punjab to ensure that site preparation and allied activities are taken up on a priority basis for timely installation and commissioning of oxygen plants, given the criticalities arising out of the Covid-19 pandemic.

In a letter to the Chief Secretary, the Union Health Secretary has asked the state to coordinate with stakeholders at appropriate levels for timely installation and commissioning of the oxygen plants. He said Centre’s experience with pandemic had shown the importance of ensuring availability of oxygen in hospitals.

He said installation of pressure swing adsorption (PSA) oxygen generation plants in various healthcare facilities would help avoid disruption of oxygen supplies, reduce dependence on storage and supply of cylinders or tanks. The Centre said on request from states, 162 PSA plants were sanctioned in October 2020. Another 75, 52 and 200 plants were cleared under the PM Cares Fund in May.

Considering the need to make available these facilities in each district, all requests received had been reviewed in close consultation with stakeholders. Based on the exercise, 1,215 PSA plants (including those already conveyed earlier) had been sanctioned under PM Cares Fund. The Centre also asked the state to nominate a nodal officer and two technical experts trained to operate and troubleshoot PSA plants in each medical facility. Further, a state-level nodal officer would be needed to coordinate with central agencies. — TNS

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