New Delhi: The unprecedented rise in Coronavirus cases has burdened Maharashtra’s medical facilities to alarming levels. The recent incidents of deaths in Palghar and Vasai regions of the state allegedly due to scarcity of oxygen has sparked anger among locals and raised serious concerns about treatment of patients.
It has come to light that with the rampaging Covid-19 crisis in Maharashtra, Reliance has stepped in to provide adequate oxygen supply to pandemic-hit state.
According to Maharashtra Urban Development minister Eknath Shinde, Maharashtra is likely to get nearly 100 metric tonne oxygen from Reliance’s Jamnagar plant in Gujarat.
Shinde made this announcement after a review meeting of senior govt officials over rising demand of oxygen in Mumbai, Pune & other affected cities.
“The rate of oxygen consumption is increasing in the state as mentioned by chief minister Uddhav Thackeray. We have now made some temporary arrangements where in we will get 100 MT of oxygen from Reliance plant in Gujarat,” a leading daily quoted Maha minister as saying.
Uninterrupted Oxygen supply, a major challenge
The state’s medical infrastructure is on its toes but the galloping speed of virus growth has pushed the medical infrastructure into chaotic state.
Eknath Shinde also said that all district collectors have been told to take stock of oxygen supply in their cities and prepare a report on demand and supply.
Private hospitals and medical establishments have also been directed to augment their storage capacities in coming days.
