Smaller govt hospitals get oxygen plants

Vadodara: While the Centre and state wasted its breath trading barbs over oxygen plant approvals, there were some who acted with urgency ensuring they had such plants in time and were able to breathe easy. They will soon be almost self-reliant when it comes to oxygen requirement for hospitals.
Hospitals saw a major surge in the demand and, as a consequence, shortage of oxygen since last month.While many plants were approved last year and a fresh lot of plants got approved for the states only recently, hospitals started to panic in search of uninterrupted oxygen supply.
As things became difficult, some, however, found a way out by making their own arrangements albeit with help from elected representatives. Like, the Cottage Hospital or the general hospital in Lunawada in Mahisagar district which has a capacity of 45 oxygen support beds of which, most are occupied. Work on the plant is nearly over and is expected to start operations anytime soon.
Mahisagar district collector RB Barad said that there were no suppliers or plant of oxygen in the district. “Given this situation, we decided to have a small plant of our own. We placed an order for the plant on April 10,” said Barad. The project became possible due to funds under the Member of Parliament Local Area Development (MPLAD) grants.
According to Barad, the plant will produce 140 litres of oxygen per minute. “This is sufficient for the 25 to 30 patients at the hospital. We also have a backup of 70 to 80 large cylinders to ensure that there is sufficient oxygen if needed,” he said. The plant came up at a cost of Rs 25 lakh.
A similar plant has been proposed in Godhra in Panchmahal district at the Godhra Civil Hospital. Like most places even this town was facing difficulties in arranging oxygen despite Panchmahal district having plants manufacturing oxygen. The plants, however, have to cater to other districts.
Godhra MLA C K Raulji has proposed that a plant should come up in the civil hospital. He added that a funding of Rs 22 lakh should be made from his development grants for the project. Raulji has sought that the nod for the project should be given at the earliest. A vendor has quoted Rs 25.96 lakh for the project.
Officials said that those who acted in time like the Mahisagar district administration were at an advantage as their plants were commissioned in time. Others may have to wait a longer time and the plants may also cost higher.