This story is from May 15, 2021

Union minister urges Centre for 19 more oxygen plants in Odisha

Union minister urges Centre for 19 more oxygen plants in Odisha
Dharmendra Pradhan
BHUBANESWAR: Union petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday requested his cabinet colleague and Union health and family welfare minister Harsh Vardhan to set up 19 more pressure swing absorption (PSA) medical oxygen plants in 15 districts of Odisha as proposed by the state government.
These plants are required in addition to 21 PSA medical oxygen plants being set up across Odisha.

“As cases surge exponentially across the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has bolstered the ongoing concerted drive against the pandemic by taking several more critical initiatives and crucial decisions to extend all possible assistance to states in battling the spread of the virus. Dedicated medical oxygen plants are one among them,” said Pradhan in his letter to Harsh Vardhan.
He said the PM has accorded emergency approval for installation of 551 PSA medical oxygen plants in public health facilities across the country from PM Cares Fund in addition to the 162 PSA plants allocated earlier. It has been decided to set up 21 plants in the state by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), ministry of petroleum and natural gas and the Centre.
“However, in view of the widespread impact of Covid-19 second wave in Odisha, more districts need to be covered and supported further. In this context, I request your personal intervention in setting up of additional 19 PSA medical oxygen plants in 15 districts as proposed by the state government,” said Pradhan.
These districts were Balasore, Balangir, Cuttack, Deogarh, Dhenkanal, Ganjam, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapada, Khurda, Koraput, Mayurbhanj, Puri, Rayagada, Sambalpur and Sonepur. He has proposed to set up two plants each in Balasore, Balangir, Ganjam and Mayurbhanj districts.
“The setting up of these plants on a war-footing will go a long way in supporting the Covid-19 treatment of patients across Odisha,” said Pradhan.
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About the Author
Hemanta Pradhan

Hemanta Pradhan writes for the Times of India on education, hospital issues, transport, agriculture & tribal affairs. He has been working as a journalist since 2011. He has a PG degree in Journalism & Mass Communication from Berhampur University. He has won Laadli Media Awards for gender sensitivity.

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