India faced with oxygen shortage amid pandemic

India is facing a shortage of medical oxygen at a time when coronavirus cases in the country have seen a sharp spike. Medical oxygen, one of the most important, life-saving components used in modern medicine, is in even higher demand than usual but states are finding it hard to meet their oxygen requirements.

Hyderabad: Amid the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, many states are struggling with oxygen shortage to save Corona patients. Medical oxygen is a critical component in the treatment of COVID-19 affected patients, but due to the oxygen shortage in India, the lives of the patients are at peril.

A day's oxygen demand in India is 2,000 metric tons and the demand has only increased due to the increasing cases of coronavirus on daily basis.

What is medical oxygen?

• Oxygen is one of the most important, life-saving components in modern medicine. It has been used in medicine since the 1800s and has come a long way in terms of both its application and delivery systems.
• Medical oxygen is an essential medicine in the treatment of COVID-19.

How is it Used?

• Medical oxygen is used to restore tissue oxygen tension in conditions such as respiratory arrest, cardiac arrest, shock, carbon monoxide poisoning, and severe haemorrhaging, and has applications in both the hospital and pre-hospital (accident response) settings.
• The use of medical oxygen extends outside of the hospital setting, with thousands of people dependent on portable medical oxygen technologies to function in their day-to-day lives.
• In addition, medical oxygen is critical in accident response units, first aid, resuscitation and life support equipment – even modern anaesthetic techniques rely on medical oxygen.

What Experts say on shortage of Oxygen cylinders?

• As the demand for oxygen cylinders has suddenly increased amid the Covid-19 pandemic, the industry dependent on liquid oxygen has showed concern over “unavailability”.
• “Black Marketing” of oxygen cylinders has also increased.
• Some say the amount of oxygen can hardly be a problem. Any shortage might be caused by the delivery system, which can serve as a bottleneck between producers and patients.

Major Manufacturing/Refillers/Suppliers Companies of Medical Oxygen In India

Major Manufacturing/Refillers/Suppliers Companies of Medical Oxygen In India

Report on Manufacturing and Supply Chain Of Medical Oxygen In India 2020

Currently in 2021 States like Maharashtra (800), Gujarat (472 ), Madhya Pradesh (267), Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, followed by Chhattisgarh, Punjab, and Rajasthan are consuming maximum medical oxygen.

The Government of India and State Governments to map their requirements up to 30th April 2021 with the available sources and stocks of oxygen in the country.

State wise total Liquid oxygen capacity

Steps taken by the state government

• State has requested the Centre for the supply of oxygen for medical use from nearby states.
• State govt. also ask help from the nearby states to supply medical oxygen
• If a need arises govt. could take step to close down the industries that use oxygen but won't let the supply of medical oxygen be affected.
• Govt. are working on various technologies for obtaining oxygen for medical purpose.
• States Hospitals to reduce the wastage of medical oxygen as it is in high demand now.
• States like Maharastra ask oxygen manufacturers to supply it only for medical purposes and not for Industrial use.
• Medical oxygen use only for the treatment of critical COVID-19 patients and in other cases of respiratory diseases.
• States requested central government to cylinder supply for coronavirus patients in the state by using Air Force planes.