Following reports of shortage of oxygen in some States threatening the management of patients suffering from Covid-19, the Centre has asked the States to focus on analysing district level and health facility level status and effectively plan and manage logistical issues related with oxygen availability.
The suggestion came in the wake of an increasing number of cases across the country which is likely to push up the demand for oxygen as well.
At a high-level meeting held here under the chairmanship of the Cabinet Secretary, Rajiv Gauba , special instructions were issued for oxygen availability to the 12 States/UT including Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Chandigarh, Telangana, Kerala, Delhi, Punjab and West Bengal where about 80 per cent of the Covid caseload in the country is concentrated.
The Cabinet Secretary while complementing the States for significantly ramping up testing, expressed concern that the case fatality rates of several States are still higher than that of the national average.
He urged the States to analyse mortalities district and hospital wise for identification of critical areas of intervention.
A day ago, Union home secretary Ajay Bhalla had asked all the States to ensure free movement of vehicles carrying oxygen “as it is an essential public health commodity and an important prerequisite for managing moderate and severe Covid-19 cases.”
