Representational image  |  Photo Credit: PTI
New Delhi: Amid rising cases of coronavirus fuelled by Omicron variant in the country, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan on Wednesday wrote to chief secretaries of all states and Union territories urging them to take immediate measures to ensure optimal availability of medical oxygen at health facilities.
In his letter, Bhushan said that states and UTs should have buffer stock of medical oxygen sufficient for at least 48 hours at health facilities providing in-patient care and asked them to ensure proper functioning of PSA plants and availability of sufficient oxygen concentrators.
“As you re aware, COVID-19 cases have seen a significant surge in the country. Taking cognisance of the importance of medical oxygen during the pandemic, the Government of India has proactively and consistently supported all states/UTs in strengthening health systems with respect to medical oxygen infrastructure. The emerging scenario calls for immediate measures by states/UTs to ensure optimal availability of medical oxygen at all concerned health facilities,” he noted in the letter.
He directed all the concerned departments to ensure the following:
i) Adequate buffer stock of medical oxygen-All health facilities providing In-patient care and oxygen therapy should have buffer stock of medical oxygen sufficient for at-least 48 hrs.
ii) Availability of Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO) – The LMO tanks at the health facilities should be sufficiently filled and uninterrupted supply chain for their refilling should be ensured.
iii) Functional Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) Plants – Health facilities across the country have been strengthened with PSA plants. It is important to ensure that these PSA plants are kept fully functional. All steps should be taken for the proper upkeep and maintenance of such plants.
iv) Adequate Inventory of Oxygen Cylinders – All the health facilities should have adequate inventory of oxygen cylinders along with back-up stocks and robust refilling systems. It should also be ensured that these cylinders are filled and kept ready.
v) Sufficient number of Oxygen Concentrators – All districts should ensure that oxygen concentrators supplied to them are fully functional. Their proper up keep and maintenance need to be ensured.
vi) Availability of Life Support Equipment – All higher-level health facilities should have life support equipment including Ventilators, BiPAP, Sp02 systems and associated consumables in sufficient numbers to respond to the emerging needs.
vii) Adherence to disinfection protocol – All infection prevention protocols should be adopted while using the oxygen delivery devices and equipment at all the health
viii) Deployment of adequately trained HR – For optimal use of all the oxygen delivery equipment and devices, adequately trained HR should be deployed at all the facilities. As advised, training of facility wise Oxygen Stewards should be completed within the next few days. This Ministry along with Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship has already organized 10 hours training for operators of PSA plants for day-to-day operation, 40 hours training of Master Trainers and 180 hours training of trouble shooting of PSA to a significant number of persons in all States. ix) Coordination with Private health facilities – Private health facilities providing oxygen therapy services may be assessed and their medical oxygen infrastructure capacities need to be explored. A possible strategy and mechanism to leverage the private sector in times of peak of demand can be explored.
x) Oxygen Control rooms – The oxygen control rooms should be reinvigorated at State / UT level for prompt resolutions of oxygen related issues and challenges.
xi) All the states to ensure on boarding of all healthcare facilities utilizing oxygen to ODAS digital platform, directly or through State API’s. With timely preparations and responsiveness, I am confident that we will be able to meet the challenges ahead of us.