As the country struggles with an oxygen shortage, the Centre has ordered the construction of 551 Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) Medical Oxygen Generation Plants within public health facilities.
The PM CARES fund, which was established to fight the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, will be used to develop these plants. “These dedicated plants will be built in identified Government hospitals in district headquarters across various States and UTs. The procurement will be handled by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, according to a press release issued by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration.
PM Modi has also directed that these plants be made “operational” as soon as possible. “Earlier this year, the PM CARES Fund allocated Rs.201.58 crores for the construction of an additional 162 dedicated Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) Medical Oxygen Generation Plants within public health facilities throughout the country,” according to the announcement.
The aim of establishing these plants is to ensure that government hospitals in the districts “do not face unexpected disruptions in oxygen supplies and have access to sufficient uninterrupted oxygen supply to treat COVID-19 patients and other patients in need of such assistance,” according to the government.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed the country’s dire COVID-19 crisis in his monthly radio address “Mann Ki Baat” on Sunday (April 25). He emphasized the importance of professional and technical guidance, and he said that the Centre is doing what it can to assist states.
“I strongly advise people not to believe any vaccine-related rumors. You are all informed that the Government of India has provided free vaccines to all state governments. This is available to those above the age of 45. Vaccines will be available to everyone above the age of 18 beginning May 1st “The Prime Minister said.
India is dealing with a second phase of the pandemic, with over 3,00,000 new coronavirus cases recorded every day for the fourth consecutive day today, and hospitals in many states are suffering from a lack of medical oxygen and beds.
