India is faced with twin crises in the form of rising COVID-19 cases and the shortage of medical oxygen, induced by the former. Hospitals in states across India have been ringing the alarm bells over the shortage of oxygen. On Saturday, 12 patients, including a doctor, died at Delhi’s Batra Hospital. As hospitals have run dry of the life-saving gas, people have queued outside oxygen generating plants to refill oxygen cylinders. Several gurudwaras are providing the gas for free in Delhi’s streets.

Also read: ‘Enough is enough’: HC raps Centre over oxygen supply shortage in Delhi

Owing to such a situation, oxygen concentrators are in huge demand. 

What are oxygen concentrators?

They’re basically monitor-sized machines that filter oxygen from the air and lets the nitrogen back out. Oxygen makes up about 21% of ambient air, nitrogen constitutes 78%. 

What one gets after the air is filtered out of the concentrator is 90-95% oxygen.

Where can you buy an oxygen concentrator?

So, if you’re looking to buy the machine, the best option is to look online, as it doesn’t pose a health risk of contracting the virus and if one goes to credible sites, one is assured of quality.

As of now, Amazon and Flipkart are selling the machine. The lowest price for it on Flipkart is Rs 30,000.

Also read: Centre to buy 1 lakh O2 concentrators, set up 500 oxygen plants from PM Cares Fund

The other websites you can go to are 1MG, ColMed, Healthklin, Nightingales India and Tushti Store.

But, beware of sham websites as there are many selling nebulisers and humidifiers as oxygen concentrators.

Also read: Treat available oxygen as critical commodity: Centre to states

So ensure you’re buying the product of a credible brand and consult a medical practitioner, before the purchase, if you can. 

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