100 new hospitals to get their own oxygen plants under PM-CARES fund

The Centre on Thursday announced that 100 new hospitals will get their own oxygen plants with funds from the PM-CARES fund amid a rise in coronavirus cases, which has left several states scrambling for treatment essentials.

Several states reported oxygen shortage but the government assured that India is producing oxygen at full capacity for each of the last two days.

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According to a statement released by the health ministry, “Along with the ramped up production… and the surplus stocks available, the present availability is sufficient.”

According to the government data, 12 states, including Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan, have reported a sudden rise in coronavirus cases. India on Thursday reported 2 lakh COVID-19 cases, highest single-day spike so far. The country has over 1.41 crore coronavirus cases.

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“An indicative framework has been developed to guide the states on the sources of medical oxygen,” the statement said.

Some 162 Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) plants, which help hospitals make their own medical oxygen, sanctioned under the PM-CARES fund are being closely reviewed for early completion, it said.

Over 10 crore people have been vaccinated so far, according to the data released by the Union Health Ministry.