The Haryana government has made it mandatory for all hospitals in the state with a capacity of more than 50 beds to set up their own oxygen plant. Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij, who also has the home department portfolio, instructed the hospitals to set up the plants within the next six months.
Moreover, new hospitals in Haryana will be allowed only after setting up oxygen plants and whoever will violate these orders will face action.
Currently, Haryana needs 300 metric tonnes of oxygen daily, but it is getting only 252 metric tonnes.
In order to mobilise oxygen cylinders from one place to another, Vij also said, “10 empty oxygen tankers have been sought from overseas, which will facilitate transportation. The officials have been instructed to start the process of procurement of the tankers. In the meanwhile, state officials have also been asked to ensure 24-hour availability of oxygen to every Covid-19 patient in the state. Every possible effort should be made to pick up the oxygen quota of Haryana from Orissa. Life-saving drugs like Tocilizumab and Remdesivir will be made available free of cost in government hospitals and at purchase price at private hospitals, as per requirement.”
“Officers have also been directed to ensure enhanced testing and to provide the report to a patient within 24 hours, setting up a call centre, providing kits of all essential medicines — including oximeters — constantly monitoring oxygen supply, curbing black marketing of oxygen and essential medicines and ensuring the display of rate list for treatment is provided outside each private hospital.”
Haryana government has also decided to provide free lodging and food facilities to doctors, paramedical staff and others who are involved in providing essential services during the ongoing Covid pandemic in the rest houses of the Public Works Department situated across the state.
Haryana on Tuesday passed all its previous records with 15,786 new Covid-19 cases and 153 Covid deaths during the day.
