Govt to push oxygen therapy facility

Oxygen therapy is proving to be useful for severe cases of Covid-19 and the government is planning to set up wards with direct oxygen supply to beds in Osmania General Hospital, Gandhi Hospital and Telangana Institute of Medical Science and Research. Tenders for setting up the oxygen wards have been floated, and it will take more than a month to equip the beds.

Presently, oxygen ports from large oxygen cylinders are being used in Gandhi Hospital and the King Koti hospital. In King Koti, patients have learnt to operate the oxygen lines themselves.

The only problem noted was with regard to oxygen supply in view of the large demand. A senior government official said the supply is not consistent and there is limited capacity in treating patients. “Only five per cent of severe cases require ventilator support whereas the rest of them can be managed well with oxygen therapy. Anticipating rising cases capacity building is now being carried out,” he told Deccan Chronicle.

It is against this backdrop that special wards are being planned. According to government sources, the decision is late, but has been made finally. “To set up an oxygen plant in the hospital requires huge investment and land and it will take more than a month. The facility is available in Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences but it is a non-Covid 19 hospital,” explained sources.

With home treatment facility provided for Covid-19 patients with mild symptoms, supply of portable oxygen cylinders is also being recommended by experts. In Mumbai and Delhi, community hubs have been formed for patients to reach out for pulse oximeters and oxygen cylinders. A similar measure must be undertaken here.

A senior family physician explained, “A back-up plan is needed as we will see a situation like Mumbai and Delhi. The availability of medical oxygen will help us save a lot of patients and if it has to be carried out at home we must be prepared to provide the same.”