Gzb gets all 11 O2 plants in govt health centres

GHAZIABAD: The Ghaziabad health department on Thursday completed installation of 11 oxygen plants, sanctioned by the Uttar Pradesh government at nine government healthcare facilities in the district.

Ghaziabad MP general (retired) V K Singh inaugurated one plant each at the MMG district hospital, Sanjay Nagar combined district hospital, and the Muradnagar and Dasna community health centres on Thursday. “With these plants, we are equipped with adequate oxygen supply, even if there’s a third wave of Covid-19 or not,” Singh said.

Dr Rakesh Gupta, district surveillance officer, said, “The oxygen plants were sanctioned during the second wave of Covid-19. There were some minor delays, but all the 11 oxygen plants have now been installed. Two of the 11 oxygen plants are yet to be inaugurated. Now, nine government facilities in the district will have adequate oxygen supply for Covid-19 patients during the predicted third wave of Covid-19.”

“We have 15 private hospitals, with over 50 beds, which have installed the oxygen plants. Other private hospitals are either in the process of installing the oxygen plants or procuring the equipment. We will get the installation expedited,” he added.

According to official records, these 11 oxygen plants, with a capacity of about 3,890 litres per minute, will cater to 626 beds in total.

From mid of April to first week of May, 2021 -- during the peak of second wave of Covid-19 -- Ghaziabad did not have adequate oxygen supply or beds. Several NGOS and associations came forward to help the patients by arranging oxygen cylinders for free. Even the Ghaziabad municipal corporation (GMC) used to refill empty cylinders for patients for a nominal fee.

Following these issues during the peak of second wave of Covid-19, the Uttar Pradesh government had directed districts to install new oxygen plants in hospitals. In Ghaziabad, government facilities like Sahibabad employees’ state insurance corporation (ESIC) hospital, MMG district hospital, Sanjay Nagar combined district hospital, and Loni, Dasna, Bhojpur, and Modinagar community health centres, etc., have new oxygen plants.