New Delhi: Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and as part of the country’s preparation for a possible third wave, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today chaired a high-level meeting to review the augmentation and availability of oxygen across the county.
Officials briefed PM about the progress on the installation of PSA Oxygen plants across the country. More than 1500 PSA Oxygen plants are coming up across the nation which includes contributions from PM CARES as well as various ministries & PSUs.
PSA Oxygen plants contributed by PM CARES are coming up in all states and districts of the country. PM was informed that once all PSA Oxygen plants coming up through PM CARES would be functional, they would support more than 4 lakh oxygenated beds.
PM instructed the officials to ensure that these plants are made functional at the earliest and to work closely with the state governments for the same. Officers apprised the PM that they are in regular touch with officers from state governments regarding fast-tracking the oxygen plants.
PM asked officials to ensure there is adequate training of hospital staff on operation and maintenance of oxygen plants. He also directed officials to ensure that each district has trained personnel available. Officials informed him that there is a training module prepared by experts and they are targeting training of around 8000 people across the country.
PM also said that we should deploy advanced technology like IoT to track performance and functioning of these oxygen plants at a local and national level. Officials apprised the PM about a pilot being done using IoT for monitoring the performance of the oxygen plants.
Principal Secretary to PM, Cabinet Secretary, Secretary Health, Secretary MoHUA and other important officials were present in the meeting.
On June 26, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting with top officials to review the progress of vaccination and COVID-19 situation in the country and expressed satisfaction at the rising speed of vaccinations this week.
During the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the country saw a shortage of medical oxygen as the cases shot up in the last two weeks of April and the first two weeks of May.
There are 4,58,727 active cases in the country.
