Shri Piyush Goyal reviews the availability and supply of Medical Oxygen in the country in the wake of Covid-19;

There is adequate availability, manufacturing, supply and storage capacity of Medical Oxygen

In the wake of Covid-19 pandemic, the Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal today reviewed the Medical Oxygen supply and enhancement of capacity storage in the country. The Officials of the Department of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare informed that as of now, there is no major problem reported in manufacturing, storage, transport and supply of Medical Oxygen. It was mentioned that average monthly consumption of Medical Oxygen was 902 MT/day in April’20 and had gone upto 1512 MT/day by 15th July. There is sufficient stock of over 15 thousand MT, as of now.

It was observed that the overall position of the present production and supply of Medical Oxygen, as compared to the total projection of the requirement by end of this month, is comfortable in all the states. In States, Metros and Districts, where the active cases are large in number, the position of supply and storage is adequate. Similarly, appropriate arrangements have been made for making available Medical Oxygen at remote places. It was highlighted that percentage   of total Covid-19 cases on Oxygen including those in ICU, has declined to 4.58% yesterday. Medical Oxygen storage capacity is also being enhanced by almost 10% from 5938 MT, as on 1st March’20

All the major manufacturers of cylinders and cryogenic vessels are now registered on Government e-Marketplace (GeM), the public procurement portal. Manufacturers of Medical Oxygen Generators are also in the process of registering.

The Minister said that the adequate arrangements should be in place for any eventuality or sudden spurt in demand. He directed that special care should be taken to make available the Oxygen supply in those areas where connectivity gets affected at this time of the year, due to adverse weather conditions.

Medical oxygen supply: procurement registration and capacity expansion to ensure readiness for demand surges and remote-area access. Review found national manufacturing, storage, transport and distribution capacity for Medical Oxygen adequate to meet projected near-term requirements, with substantial strategic stocks and capacity expansion underway. Operational measures focus on procurement streamlining via registration of cylinder, cryogenic vessel and generator manufacturers on the Government e Marketplace, enhancement of storage capacity, and directives to ensure preparedness for sudden demand surges and for areas affected by seasonal connectivity challenges.