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Following a continuous and large increase in COVID-19 cases across the country, the Centre ordered States on January 12 that health facilities providing in-patient care and oxygen therapy should keep a buffer stock of medical oxygen sufficient for at least 48 hours.

Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan instructed all districts to ensure that oxygen concentrators given to them were properly working in a letter to states.

He said, “Their proper upkeep and maintenance need to be ensured.”

States should also guarantee that Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO) tanks at health facilities are adequately stocked and that a continuous supply chain for their replenishment is in place, according to the Center.

As instructed by Centre to States: “Health facilities across the country have been strengthened with functional Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) plants and there should be adequate inventory of oxygen cylinders along with back-up stocks and robust refilling systems. It should also be ensured that these cylinders are filled and kept ready.”

Private health care facilities that provide oxygen therapy have been requested to review their medical oxygen infrastructure capacities.

The Centre says, “A possible strategy and mechanism to leverage the private sector in times of peak of demand can be explored.”

The Centre stated that the emerging circumstance necessitates quick action by states to assure the optimal provision of medical oxygen, as well as the deployment of appropriately trained personnel.

It went on to say that states had been instructed that oxygen control rooms needed to be re-energized in order to resolve difficulties and obstacles quickly.