Covid: Oxygen need pushes demand for empty cylinders
Sanjay Bumbroo
Tribune News Service
Mohali, April 23
As the hospitals here brave the shortage of medical oxygen amid rising Covid-19 cases, the demand for empty cylinders used to supply the essential gas has also shot up.
According to sources, the existing number of cylinders in the district are already in use and the state government has now asked the cylinder manufacturers to ramp up production to meet the growing demand.
Mohali Deputy Commissioner Girish Dayalan said, “We are constantly monitoring the availability of oxygen in each of the hospital having dedicated Covid care blocks/beds.”
“As of now there is sufficient oxygen available with each of the hospital for both Covid and non-Covid patients,” he said.
Dayalan said some hospitals had flagged the need for portable oxygen cylinders and the issue was resolved successfully.
He also assured the people of sufficient oxygen supply. “There is no reason to panic as requirement and utilisation of every litre of medical oxygen gas in the district is being closely monitored,” said Dayalan.
85% beds occupied
As Covid-19 cases in the district arex spiralling, beds reserved for such patients, at both private and government facilities, are also getting exhausted rapidly.
Eight-five per cent of the 738 Covid beds in the hospitals, dedicated to moderate to severely ill patients, are already full, as per the health authorities.
At present 105 beds, including 91 L2 and 19 L3 beds, are vacant in the 15 government and private hospitals of the district, they said.
Shortage of remedesvir
The shortage of remedesvir injections has also been reported at some of the hospitals in the district. However, a local pharmaceutical company has agreed to supply more than 20,000 vials of the medicine per day, which would not only fulfill the demand of Mohali hospitals, but also the neighbouring cities, said sources.
Dayalan admitted the shortage of remedesvir injections, but said they were expecting supply in a couple of days.
