10/14/2020 Covid-19: Govt to import 1 lakh MT of medical oxygen to meet any shortage during winters - Times of India

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Covid-19: Govt to import 1 lakh MT of medical oxygen to

meet any shortage during winters
PTI | Oct 14, 2020, 05.19 PM IST

NEW DELHI: The Union health ministry has initiated the process of
importing liquid oxygen as part of its preparedness to meet any
unforeseen shortage during the winters when the country may witness an
increase in Covid-19 cases leading to a rise in demand for oxygen.

HLL Lifecare Limited, a public sector undertaking, has floated a global

tender on Wednesday on behalf of the Health Ministry for procuring one
lakh metric tonne of liquid oxygen.

The oxygen is being procured for various central and state government
hospitals. The entire exercise of importing and then distributing the
medical oxygen is estimated to cost Rs 600-700 crore, official sources
said.

As on Tuesday, around 3.97 per cent of the Covid-19 patients were on oxygen support, 2.46 per cent were in ICU beds which
are again with oxygen support and 0.40 pc on ventilator support.

In March, before the country went into a lockdown, the country had a manufacturing capacity of around 6,400 metric tonne of
oxygen per day, of which around 1,000 metric tonne was being used for medical purposes daily while the rest was utilised by
industries, sources said.

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10/14/2020 Covid-19: Govt to import 1 lakh MT of medical oxygen to meet any shortage during winters - Times of India

"Industries have opened up following unlock procedures and as on September 30, the country's daily capacity of oxygen
production is around 7,000 metric tonne, of which around 3,094 metric tonne is being used for both Covid and non-Covid
patients and is just enough to meet the demands," a source said.

"So this one lakh metric tonne of liquid oxygen which is being planned to be procured from foreign countries would create a
one month buffer in case demand rises further during the winter season," the source explained.

The issue was discussed at a meeting held by the Cabinet Secretary on October 10, following which it was decided to import
liquid oxygen.

Even though India is witnessing a declining trend in daily new Covid-19 cases, experts fear that the upcoming festive season
and following winter months may see a spike in coronavirus infections.

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan has urged people to observe Covid-19-appropriate behaviour such as wearing masks,
hand hygiene, maintaining respiratory etiquette and staying away from congregations, citing the possibility of increased novel
coronavirus transmission during winters.

"These viruses are known to thrive better in the cold weather and low humidity conditions. In view of these, it would not be
wrong to assume that the winter season may see increased rates of transmission of the novel coronavirus in the Indian context
too,” he said.

In September, when cases were increasing, the Health Ministry had repeatedly advised states to ensure adequate oxygen
availability in all healthcare facilities and unrestricted intra as well as inter-state movement of oxygen.

States were also asked to ensure facility wise/hospital wise oxygen inventory management and advance planning for timely
replenishment so that there are no stockouts.

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10/14/2020 Covid-19: Govt to import 1 lakh MT of medical oxygen to meet any shortage during winters - Times of India

India's Covid-19 caseload rose to 72,39,389 on Wednesday, while the death toll due to the disease was 1,10,586.

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