PM chairs high level meeting to review ramping up of oxygen supply across country

During the high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi over medical oxygen, officials briefed him about the progress on the installation of PSA oxygen plants across the country. The Prime Minister also asked officials to ensure there is adequate training of hospital staff on the operation and maintenance of oxygen plants.

New Delhi:Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday chaired a high-level meeting to review the Covid-19 situation and the progress of augmentation and availability of oxygen across the country and instructed officials to ensure that the oxygen plants are made functional at the earliest. The Prime Minister was also briefed by officials about the progress on the installation of PSA oxygen plants across the country.

More than 1500 PSA oxygen plants are coming up across the nation which includes contributions from PM CARES as well as various ministries and PSUs, a statement by the PMO said. PSA oxygen plants contributed by PM CARES are coming up in all states and districts of the country. The PM was informed that once all PSA oxygen plants coming up through PM CARES would be functional, they would support more than 4 lakh oxygenated beds, the statement added.

PM Modi also instructed the officials to ensure that these plants are made functional at the earliest and to work closely with the state governments for the same. Officers apprised PM Modi that they are in regular touch with officers from state governments regarding fast-tracking the oxygen plants, it added.

The Prime Minister asked officials to ensure there is adequate training of hospital staff on the operation and maintenance of oxygen plants. He also directed officials to ensure that each district has trained personnel available. Officials informed him that there is a training module prepared by experts and they are targeting the training of around 8000 people across the country, the statement said.

"We should deploy advanced technology like the Internet of Things (IoT) to track performance and functioning of these oxygen plants at the local and national level," the PM added. He was also apprised by officers about a pilot being done using IoT for monitoring the performance of the oxygen plants. It is worth mentioning that Principal Secretary to PM, Cabinet Secretary, Secretary Health, Secretary MoHUA and other important officials were present in the meeting.