NEW DELHI: Health Ministry said, in view of sudden spike in the demand for oxygen in some states due to an exponential rise in the number of COVID patients, the Centre has increased the quota of Oxygen in the States. These States are Maharashtra, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh and Uttrakhand.
In Maharashtra, the quota has been increased from 1646 Metric Tonnes (MT) to 1661 MT. In Delhi it has been raised from 378 MT to 480 MT, in Madhya Pradesh from 445 MT to 543 MT, in Haryana 156 MT to 162, in Uttar Pradesh 751 to 753 MT, in Punjab from 126 to 136 MT, in Andhra Pradesh from 360 to 440 MT and in Uttarakhand the oxygen quota was increased from 83 Metric Tonnes to 103 Metric Tonnes. Meanwhile, Indian Air Force has been pressed into action to augment the government’s efforts to contain Covid-19 in the country. IAF has now started airlifting oxygen containers, cylinders, essential medicine, equipment and medical personnel to assist the government in combating the pandemic.
The Air Force also airlifted doctors and nursing staff from Kochi, Mumbai, Vizag, and Bengaluru for the establishment of a DRDO Covid-19 makeshift hospital in Delhi. The IAF has also airlifted DRDO oxygen containers from Bangalore for Covid centres in Delhi. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had directed all defence establishments on Tuesday to ramp up efforts and assist civil authorities in extending all possible assistance to people across the country. The defence minister attended a video conference with top ministry officials, including service chiefs and Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat. A roadmap to assist state governments was drawn during this meeting.
Defence Minister also suggested that retired military doctors and nursing staff be enlisted for assistance if they volunteer.
