Central government’s efforts boost oxygen supply chain

The central government has undertaken various initiatives to augment the availability, streamline the distribution and strengthen the oxygen storage infrastructure in the country. Certain measures are taken to boost the oxygen supply chain. These efforts include improving oxygen production, enhancing tanker availability and revamping oxygen shortage.

Enhanced Oxygen Production

From Aug 2020 to May 2021, Oxygen production has increased from 5700 MT/day to 9,446 MT/day. The production capacity has also increased from 6817 MT/ day to 7314 MT/day. During this period, capacity utilization has elevated from 84% to 129%. Besides, Steel companies have also stepped up efforts to meet the country’s requirement of medical oxygen. Till 4 May 2021, total Liquid Medical Oxygen produced by the Steel Plants was 3680.30 MT

Expanding Oxygen Production Capacity

To enhance the oxygen production capacity, additional 70 MT/day production is expected in Karnataka, supplies from the Air Separation Unit of the SME sector, Jumbo Hospitals with gaseous oxygen, power plants and steel plants are being set up. Supply of oxygen for non-essential industrial purposes has been prohibited, which has resulted in 1,000 MT of additional oxygen availability.

Importing Liquid Medical Oxygen

Till now, 50,000 MT of Liquid Oxygen has been imported from overseas, while orders and delivery schedule for 5,800 MT has been finalized. The Ministry of External Affairs is actively working in securing sources of oxygen from abroad. Apart from this, 2285 MT of LMO being imported from UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait and France.

Procuring Oxygen Concentrators

Under PM Cares Fund, procurement of 1 lakh Oxygen Concentrators has been sanctioned. Moreover, offers for 50,000 concentrators have been received from domestic manufacturers. Additional orders for oxygen concentrators are also being placed and finalized by bidders.

Establishing Oxygen Allocation Process

Due to the recent surge in COVID-19 cases, oxygen demand stretched in different states. Therefore, the Oxygen Allocation process has been established to supply equitable oxygen as per the requirement of the States. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare estimated the Oxygen requirement for each state and maximum efforts were made to align Oxygen Allocation to the estimated demand for each state. While finalizing allocation, availability of hospital infrastructure including ICU beds was also taken into account. Mapping of the source and destination of oxygen has also been completed to optimize the transportation plan.

Transportation of Oxygen

For long-distance transport of oxygen tankers, Indian Railways are stepping up their efforts through Roll On – Roll Off service. Till now, Railways has delivered nearly 4,200 MT of Liquid Medical Oxygen in more than 268 tankers to various states across the country. 68 Oxygen Expresses have already completed their journey and 293 MT has been offloaded in Maharashtra, 1,230 MT in UP, 271 MT in MP, 555 MT in Haryana, 123 MT in Telangana, 40 MT in Rajasthan and 1,679 MT in Delhi till 9th May 2021.

To reduce the turnaround time, air-lifting of empty tankers is being done. Till now, 282 tankers with 5505 MT capacity have been airlifted, 75 containers with a capacity of 1293 MT have been imported from overseas and 1252 oxygen cylinders along with 3 oxygen generation plants have been imported through Indian Air Force.

Oxygen Digital Tracking System

Oxygen Digital Tracking System (ODTS) has been launched to enable real-time tracking of Oxygen movement in the country. It provides effective and instantaneous communication of allocation orders and dispatches. A control room has been set up to monitor the continuous movement of oxygen.

Preparing skilled drivers

2,500 additional drivers are being trained to ensure uninterrupted transportation of Oxygen. In addition, Online Refresher courses are also planned for non-active drivers with training in handling hazardous chemicals.

Strengthening oxygen storage

Since March 2020, the number of cryogenic tanks for storing oxygen at hospitals has increased from 609 to 901. Availability of medical oxygen cylinders has also increased from 4.35 Lakhs to 11.19 Lakh. Besides, DRDO is procuring 10,00,000 NRV valves to reduce wastage of oxygen by shutting out the supply during exhalation.

#IndiaFightsCorona

☑️Centre undertakes multiple initiatives to enhance oxygen availability, distribution and storage infrastructure

☑️#Oxygen availability increased through higher production & imports, setting up of PSA plants, and procurement of oxygen concentrators

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— #IndiaFightsCorona (@COVIDNewsByMIB) May 10, 2021