Bihar: Demand for oxygen plant in Bhagalpur

BHAGALPUR: Amid reports of crisis of oxygen supply in hospitals and private nursing homes for Covid-19 patients as well as for people in home quarantine, residents of Bhagalpur, including a group of social activists, have demanded immediate establishment of an oxygen plant in the town.
Need for three oxygen plants at government hospitals which include Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College and Hospital (JLNMCH), upcoming Super Specialty Hospital at Barari and sadar hospital and as promoting private production units for supplying to private hospitals, nursing homes and for patients in home quarantine has been advocated by various citizens’ groups.
Dr Ajay Kuamr Singh, a paediatrician and social activist said maintaining oxygen level is extremely important to save Covid-19 patients, therefore any shortage in oxygen supply or its crisis both in government and private healthcare establishments should be sorted out.
Health department sources, however, said med oxygen supply at JLNMCH is done through a pipeline by an outsourcing agency. Two private production plants also supply medical oxygen but the shortfall is due to sudden spike in demand.
JLNMCH medical superintendent Dr Kumar Gaurav said, “Oxygen supply in the hospital is done by an outsourcing agency. The demand is definitely more at present due to the surge in Covid patients needing oxygen support. However, we are not facing any shortage," he said.
Bhagalpur civil surgeon Dr Umesh Sharma said it would be definitely better if the state government sets up an oxygen plant at any of the government hospitals here. "At present two private oxygen plants supply oxygen in Bhagalpur," he added
Meanwhile, the district administration has taken steps to regulate adequate supply of oxygen to JLNMCH and other hospitals.