Big groups plan O2 storage, transport

PM Cares Fund nod for 551 oxygen plants

As the number of Covid-19 deaths due to the lack of medical oxygen at hospitals mounts, India’s big conglomerates have begun collaborating with the Union government on the production, supply and storage of the essential medical resource.

The Tatas, Larsen & Toubro and Bharat Forge on Sunday expressed interest in building pressure swing adsorption (PSA) oxygen plants at hospital sites, while Indian Oil Corporation and Reliance Industries are pitching in with both oxygen and cryogenic tankers needed for its transportation.

India has also tied up with some of these companies to import tankers from four destinations — Dubai, Bangkok, Shanghai and Dusseldorf. Four tankers from Singapore bought by the Tatas have already reached Vishakhapatnam on an Indian Air Force plane.

States have, nonetheless, started indicating their immediate requirements to vaccine makers. Most states have formed high-level committees comprising ministers and bureaucrats who will decide on the number of beneficiaries, expenditure on free vaccination drive, pricing strategy, etc.

West Bengal health department officials said the mode of procurement for the 18-44 age group was under discussion. “Discussions are being held at every level,” one of them said.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has said it would continue to buy the two vaccines – Covishield and Covaxin – at ~150 per dose. The Centre will supply the doses it supplies states for free. The Centre will continue to pick up the tab for those above 45 years if they visit a government hospital or vaccination centre for the jab. States have to procure for those above 18 and citizens also have the option to pay for a shot in a private hospital.

Both companies have announced the prices at which private hospitals can buy the vaccines — ~600 (Covishield) and ~1,200 (Covaxin).