Leaving nothing to chance, T ups oxygen, bed capacity

Leaving nothing to chance, T ups oxygen, bed capacity

Geared Up To Handle Situation If Third Wave Arises: Srinivasa

Amrita.Didyala@timesgroup.com

Hyderabad:  05.12.2021

Telangana has tripled oxygen generation capacity and kept 27 oxygen containers on standby for tackling likely surge of Covid-19 cases due to the new variant, omicron.

“Also, 26 PSA oxygen generation plants have been commissioned under the corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative of companies. In addition to that, 27 containers of 540 metric tonne (MT) capacity for transportation of liquid oxygen have been arranged. The oxygen generation capacity in the state is increased from 135 MT/day to 327 MT/ day,” director public health Dr G Srinivasa Rao said.

“Also, 5,200 paediatric oxygen beds have been earmarked in different government hospitals so far for Covid-19. We are completely geared up to handle the situation if a third wave arises,” he said, adding that though a rapid spread of the new variant has been predicted,it might not be severe and therefore preparations would be enough to tackle any eventuality.

Not just in the government sector, efforts have been made to upscale oxygen generation and storage infrastructure even in private hospitals, which have bought oxygen tankers that can store liquid oxygen sufficienet for 3-4 days. “There was a shortage of tankers during the second wave. Now, majority of the corporate hospitals have set up additional oxygen generation plants, while the smaller and mid-sized ones have made arrangements for tankers,” Telangana Super Speciality Hospitals Association president Dr Bhaskar Rao said. In private hospitals, 39 PSA plants have been commissioned so far.

“Of 27,996 beds in government hospitals, 25,390 have been converted to oxygen beds so far. Currently, there are 55,442 beds in the state, including those in private hospitals. Of these 21,751 are oxygen beds, while 11,845 are ICU beds.

“Patients with moderate to severe symptoms, with or without Covid positive report, can go to any notified government Covid hospitals. Based on the clinical requirements, beds will be provided, and treatment will be given free of cost at government hospitals,” the health department said, urging people to utilise government facilities.