Measures will be taken to ensure adequate supply of liquid oxygen to all hospitals– Medical Education Minister Dr.K.Sudhakar
Minister Visits KIMS hospital to review the infrastructure for treatment of Covid patients
Bengaluru August 18, 2020: Medical Education Minister Dr.K.Sudhakar visited Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences today to review the infrastructure and treatment facilities for Covid-19 patients. There are some issues is supply of oxygen to hospitals as there is huge demand. I have directed the officials to make necessary arrangements to ensure adequate supply of liquid oxygen to all hospitals in the state The Minister said. Measures will also be taken to establish new liquid oxygen plants to meet the high demand. The Minister said during his visit.
Speaking at the hospital Dr Sudhakar said, as number of cases have increased, there is a scarcity of oxygen at all hospitals. KIMS also faced that situation yesterday and patients have been shifted to Bowring and Victoria hospitals immediately. We are taking measures to establish oxygen plants at all medical hospitals across the state. We are in contact with private firms which supply liquid oxygen and principal secretary of industry department is in touch with them, he said.
The Minister also said that during the last video conference he has requested PM Modi to help for setting up of more liquid oxygen plants in the state. The demand for oxygen has gone up by 4 to 5 times due to Covid, Minister said.
The KIMS hospital has a liquid oxygen plant with a capacity of 2,400 cubic meter. However, the supply is being met to fill only half of it due to huge demand. I have instructed officials to ensure adequate supply of liquid oxygen to all government hospitals and medical colleges. The problem doesn’t arise in other districts as the demand is not as high as Bengaluru, Minister said.
The cost has naturally increased due to increase in demand. The government will regulate the prices if it is feasible at the state level. For regulating cost of vendors from other states we may have to approach central government, Dr.Sudhakar said.
