UP BECOMES SELF-RELIANT IN OXYGEN GENERATION

Uttar Pradesh has ramped up availability of medical oxygen, with over 478 oxygen producing plants getting functional

With dedicated efforts of the Uttar Pradesh government towards making the state ‘self-reliant’ in oxygen generation, 478 oxygen producing plants in the state have been operationalised.

Ensuring adequate availability of medical oxygen, work to make other 69 plants functional is going on a warfooting. In a proactive move to equip the state with medical oxygen, a total of 547 oxygen plants were sanctioned during the second Covid-19 wave, which was at its peak in April and May throughout India. The Uttar Pradesh government is working on a mission mode to ensure presence of all medical resources amid apprehensions of a third Covid-19 wave.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has instructed to ensure that the process of establishing the remaining underconstruction plants should be completed in a time-bound manner.

Real-time monitoring of the installation is being done with the district administrations being asked to continuously monitor the progress of installation work of these plants and ensure availability of raw material so that it can be completed on time.

GOVT ENSURES AVAILABILITY OF MEDICAL OXYGEN AT CHCS, PHCS

The oxygen plants are being made mandatory in hospitals of more than 50 beds capacity. The CM has also directed the officials to assess the updated situation in this regard and take necessary action. Along with hospitals and medical colleges, oxygen plants are also being set up at the CHCS and the PHCS across the state.

As many as 25 oxygen plants were already functional in the state before the government took the step of constructing more to ensure the availability of sufficient amounts of medical oxygen. Besides the initiatives of the state government, the Centre has also approved the establishment of PSA medical oxygen plants with funding from PM Cares.

Keeping in mind the importance of medical liquid oxygen in the treatment of Covid patients, the State government is monitoring the implementation of these plants. Such facilities will help the state fight possible future waves of the Covid19 pandemic.

TRAINING TO PARAMEDICAL STAFF AND PHARMACISTS AT THE LOCAL LEVEL

ITI Trainees will handle oxygen plants to strengthen Covid Control Management and to connect youth with employment. Around 372 government ITI trainees in Uttar Pradesh will be engaged in operation of oxygen plants in the state.

The state government will also conduct special training sessions for paramedical staff and pharmacists preparing them to fight the pandemic’s possible third wave. With this initiative, the government will not only provide skill training to the local youth but will also give them employment opportunities.

■ 547 oxygen plants sanctioned by the state government

■ 478 oxygen producing plants in the state have been operationalised.