Maharashtra: Nandurbar's 'Oxygen Sister' concept a life-saver during second wave

Thanks to Nandurbar Collector Dr. Rajendra Bharud's experience in the medical field and his vision, an oxygen plant was been built using air and this is now being effectively utilized in the treatment of COVID-19 patients at the district government hospital.

Nandurbar (Maharashtra): 'Oxygen Sister', an innovative concept developed by the district collector of Maharashtra’s Nandurbar district last year, is gaining popularity across Maharashtra.

Thanks to Nandurbar Collector Dr. Rajendra Bharud's experience in the medical field and his vision, an oxygen plant was been built using air and this is now being effectively utilized in the treatment of COVID-19 patients at the district government hospital.

Under ‘Oxygen Sister’, one nurse (oxygen sister) is appointed for every 20 patients. These appointed nurses check the oxygen levels of 240 patients in the hospital every couple of hours. "If the oxygen supply is low, it is increased and if it is high, it is decreased as required," Dr Bharud said.

This is how the oxygen is being saved: When the patient removes the oxygen mask while having food or carrying out other daily tasks, the oxygen sisters turn off the oxygen supply of that particular bed. Oxygen is regenerated when the patient needs it. This saves enough oxygen and delivers only as much oxygen as needed.

District Surgeon Raghunath Bhoye claims that the patient's physical situation is being verified frequently if he is getting the right treatment. "Since 2020, this project has been in existence. The Oxygen Sister supplies as much oxygen as the patient needs. As a result, patients will not face the risk of the illness due to excess oxygen."

The Oxygen Sister concept has been so successful that it is being implemented on a sponsored basis in two other sub-hospitals.

"So much oxygen is being saved under this concept. I appeal to the other districts to implement the same," Health Minister Rajesh Tope said.

"The Oxygen Sister concept would now be applied across the state to ensure proper utilization of oxygen. One nurse sister for every 20 patients COVID-19 patients, their relatives, hospitals and doctors, all of them who are struggling to get oxygen will be assigned," he said.