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No deaths confirmed from O2 crisis, says Health Ministry

Agrawal added that out of these total cases, around 51.51 per cent have been reported from Kerala…reports Asian Lite News.

The health ministry on Tuesday said that no states have reported any deaths due to the oxygen crisis during the second Covid wave.

In a press conference held on Tuesday, Health Ministry Joint Secretary Luv Agrawal said, “Only one state has till now reported a suspected death due to oxygen crisis during the second Covid wave. No other states have reported deaths due to oxygen crisis.”

Luv Agrawal added, “States were asked if there have been oxygen-related deaths. According to reports we have got till now, one state has referred to a suspected case, other states have not said if there have been any oxygen-related deaths”.

The Member (Health), NITI Aayog, Dr. Vinod K. Paul addressing a press conference on the actions taken, preparedness and updates on COVID-19 (Including Vaccination), in New Delhi on August 10, 2021. The Principal Director General (M&C), Press Information Bureau, Shri Jaideep Bhatnagar and the Joint Secretary, MoHFW, Shri Lav Agarwal are also seen. (PIB)

Speaking on the current pandemic situation, Agrawal said, “We have achieved a substantial decline in daily Covid caseload. India was reporting around 40,000 daily Covid cases from last some days, but we have seen a major cut in the daily cases from last three days. Today 28,204 new cases of Covid-19 have been reported which is the lowest in the last 147 days.”

Agrawal added that out of these total cases, around 51.51 per cent have been reported from Kerala. “There are a total 37 districts presently in India where we have observed increasing trends of daily Covid cases which includes 11 from Kerala, 7 from Tamil Nadu, and 6 from Himachal Pradesh.” Around 44 districts have over a 10 per cent positivity rate. Out of the total active caseload at present, Kerala contributes 43.77 per cent and has 1,77,091 active cases. At the same time, Maharashtra has 18.48 per cent of active cases and stands at 74,944 total active cases.” Both states contribute over 62 per cent of total active cases.

Talking about Kerala’s Covid trends, NCDC Director Dr Sujeet Kumar Singh said that the demarcation line between rural and urban is not as visible in Kerala as it is in north India which also contributed to transmit the infection in the state. He said, “They stressed more on passive surveillance to detect new cases but not to cut the chain of transmission”. Another reason, he said that contributed to the infection, is the prevalence of diabetes which is over 30 per cent in the state.

Niti Ayog Member Dr V K Paul said that we can achieve herd immunity only through vaccination to prevent transmission.

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India’s Oxygen Express to supply oxygen to Bangladesh

The loading of 200 MT of LMO in 10 containers rake was completed in the morning, it added…reports Asian Lite News.

Having operated over 480 such trains across the country, the Indian Railways’ Oxygen Express is now set to travel to Bangladesh.

Ten containers will carry 200 Metric Tonnes (MTs) of Liquid Medical Oxygen to Benapole, Bangladesh, the Ministry of Railways said on Saturday.

This is the first time ever that the Oxygen Express, which transports Liquid Medical Oxygen for use by hospitals, particularly those dealing with severe Covid-19 cases, is being put into operation to a neighbouring country.

“Today, an indent was placed at Tata in Chakradharpur Division under South Eastern Railway to transport 200 MT of Liquid Medical Oxygen to Benapole, Bangladesh,” the ministry said.

The loading of 200 MT of LMO in 10 containers rake was completed in the morning, it added.

Operation of Oxygen Expresses by the Indian Railways began on April 24 this year.

They carried medical oxygen from plants producing them to states which needed urgent supplies for hospitals during the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.

More than 35,000 MT of LMO was transported to 15 states. Around 480 Oxygen Expresses were operationalised.

Indian Railways said its endeavour was to deliver as much LMO as possible in the shortest time possible. (India News Network)

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No deaths due to lack of oxygen reported by states: Govt

Further, states were provided with oxygen equipment such as oxygen cylinders, concentrators and Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) oxygen generation plants…reports Asian Lite News.

No deaths due to lack of oxygen have been specifically reported by any states or Union Territories during Covid-19’s second wave, the Parliament was told on Tuesday.

In a reply to a question by Congress’ Rajya Sabha member K.C. Venugopal over deaths of people due to lack of oxygen, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Bharati Pravin Pawar, in a written reply, said that health is a state subject and detailed guidelines for reporting of deaths were issued by the Ministry to all states and Union Territories.

“Accordingly, all states/UTs report cases and deaths to Union Health Ministry on a regular basis. However, no deaths due to lack of oxygen has been specifically reported by states/UTs,” she said.

Pawar also said that Centre had supported the states and undertook a series of actions including provisioning medical oxygen, and other consumables to ensure clinical care of patients in view of steep rise of the Covid-19 trajectory in the country during April-May 2021.

Noting that the supply of medical oxygen to hospitals is determined by contractual arrangements between the hospital concerned and the medical oxygen supplier, she said that due to unprecedented surge in demand of medical oxygen during the second wave – peaking to nearly 9,000 MT as compared to 3,095 MT during the first wave and the Central government had to step in to facilitate equitable distribution to the states.

“A dynamic and transparent framework for allocation of medical oxygen in consultation with states/UTs and all the stakeholders such as relevant Ministries, manufacturers/suppliers of liquid oxygen etc was prepared,” she said.

Pawar said that the active case load of the states and Union Territories was the primary determinant of oxygen allocation, and other factors such as case doubling rate, available medical infrastructure, and others were also given due consideration.

Further, the allocation was kept dynamic as per the changing pandemic load.

The first allocation order was issued on April 15, 2021 and revised from time to time, based on the trends of active cases and supply position, she said, adding that a total allocation of 10,250 MT has been done to 26 high-burden states as on May 28 2021.

Pawar said that the Centre, along with the state governments, took all possible steps to tackle the unprecedented surge in oxygen demand that arose in the second wave. This included enhancement of liquid medical oxygen (LMO) production from 5,700 MTs in August 2020 to 9,690 MTs in May 2021, restrictions on industrial use of oxygen and augmentation of availability of containers.

Also, online digital solutions — Oxygen Demand Aggregation system (ODAS) and Oxygen Digital Tracking System (ODTS) — was developed to ascertain the demand for medical oxygen from all medical facilities and to track their transportation. Further, in order to avoid wastage of medical oxygen, guidelines on rational use of oxygen were issued on September 25, 2020, and further revised and disseminated to states on April 25, 2021.

Further, states were provided with oxygen equipment such as oxygen cylinders, concentrators and Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) oxygen generation plants.

A total of 4,02,517 oxygen cylinders have been procured/are being procured and distributed to the states. Also, 1,222 PSA Oxygen generation plants have been sanctioned. Out of these, as on July 15, 2021, 237 plants have been commissioned. Apart from this, 295 PSA plants are being installed by different Ministries.

States have also been asked to prepare oxygen generation plants at their level.

“With a view to increase the storage capacity of LMO in the states, under the emergency Covid Package-Part-II, 1050 Liquid Medical Oxygen tanks along with MGPS at a cost of Rs 80 lakh each have been approved,” the minister added.

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Sonu sets up oxygen plants across the country

Talking to us over phone, Sonu said: “I have tried to cover all the states. The oxygen plants will be set up near the needy hospitals which will have almost 150-200 beds…reports Asian Lite News.

Sonu Sood is always busy with his socially committed activities. Actor Sonu Sood, who has been relentlessly trying to help people who have been affected by Covid-19, has announced that he will set up oxygen plants across the country in almost 16-18 states.

The actor has revealed that the process has already started with two places being locked in Andhra Pradhesh’s Nellore and Kurnool cities. The process will be in full swing by June end and will be completed by September in all the states.

Talking to us over phone, Sonu said: “I have tried to cover all the states. The oxygen plants will be set up near the needy hospitals which will have almost 150-200 beds. All these hospitals will never have shortage. The patients have to sometimes travel far to reach the hospitals and in some cases, they lose their lives as well. With this, I hope, such situation will never arise.”

Is this his precautionary method to tackle the predicted third wave of Covid-19?

“This will solve the problem forever. Right now there are almost 700 concentrators which we are servicing pan India, but it’s a temporary arrangement. With an oxygen plant, no one will ever face a problem. Why wait for a third or fourth wave to happen? Even when the pandemic will be over, the villages and districts nearby will have oxygen supply forever,” says the actor.

Oxygen cylinders are stored at Kolkata Medical College Hospital during the increasing numbers of COVID 19 patients in Kolkata on April 23, 2021.(Photo: Kuntal Chakrabarty/IANS)

The actor’s work has reached the masses and he often has visitors coming outside his house to meet and discuss their problems with him. He says that helping people only makes him feel more responsible.

“It doesn’t make me nervous, but gives me more sense of responsibility. It’s raining right now but people are still standing outside and I have requested them to go. I worry for them and there is so much pain across the country. So, the privileged people should come forward and help and do whatever best they can do,” says the actor, who will soon be seen in the Telugu film “Acharya” and Bollywood flick “Prithviraj”

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Gurmeet’s foundation brings oxygen concentrators

Talking about the process of bringing oxygen concentrators to India, he added: “I want to thank India Club of Jakarta (Indonesia) who were so prompt in helping me…reports Asian Lite News.

People from all over the world is coming forward to help India amid the pandemic crisis. Actor Gurmeet Choudhary has put an official stamp on his philanthropy, launching The Gurmeet Choudhary Foundation, which he says will work at “enhancing the health care system” by focusing on a “plethora of diseases that the country faces year after year”.

He has also arranged for oxygen concentrators from Indonesia with the help of India Club, Jakarta, a non-profit organisation.

“The Gurmeet Choudhary Foundation aims at not only empowering the nation with resources to battle this virus but also cementing and enhancing the healthcare system with (facility to fight) the plethora of diseases that the country faces year after year. I have already started working towards achieving this aim,” the actor said.

Talking about the process of bringing oxygen concentrators to India, he added: “I want to thank India Club of Jakarta (Indonesia) who were so prompt in helping me. My idea to get these oxygen concentrators was to reach out to the rural areas which are in the need of it, the most. I want to reach out to all the small cities and two-tier locations which currently are suffering from a lack of resources.”

Earlier, the actor launched hospitals in tier-2 cities.

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Big B donates oxygen concentrators to BMC

“Oxygen Concentrators, have also been ordered from another source and about 60 of them should be coming in in a few days,” he further informed in his blog post…reports Asian Lite News.

Big B is always at the forefront to motivate and inspire people even in this crisis stage. Amitabh Bachchan has blogged about how he purchased 50 oxygen concentrators from Poland and donated ventilators to BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

“I have to, in deepest gratitude thank profusely the Govt., of Poland, the Mayor of the City of Wroclaw, the Ambassador of India at Warsaw and the LOT Polish Airlines for their very gracious gesture towards me. The general call from the places that were in need of help had been for the urgent need of Oxygen Concentrators. These are and were difficult to procure and when I was not getting any immediate source to acquire them my friend and the Indian Consul in Wroclaw stepped forward,” Bachchan wrote in his latest blog entry, late on Thursday.

He further wrote: “…He came to know of my work in the procurement of Concentrators and came out with the name and details of a Polish Company that was making them and that were being exported to various parts of the World, and whether this could be one of the sources for my need. I immediately placed an order for 50 Oxygen Concentrators, which were blocked for me by him, since the equipment was in short supply and was being manufactured and sold out rather rapidly. So I have bought 50 concentrators and they shall be shipped out on the 15th of May.”

“Oxygen Concentrators, have also been ordered from another source and about 60 of them should be coming in in a few days,” he further informed in his blog post.

Oxygen cylinders

Big B has also written about donating ventilators to BMC.

He mentioned in his blog post: “Then the need for Ventilators has been equally acute. The BMC the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation when I said I wished to donate something for the cause, told me to not give money, but to get them Ventilators. This has been an arduous task as well, but luckily another Agency has stepped forward and is helping me with my order. I had ordered 20 ventilators, 10 of which have arrived to day and I am happy that I was able to deliver them to the BMC and a few Municipal Hospitals in Mumbai today. The balance 10 should be in by the 25th and they shall also be distributed to some more Hospitals in need of them.”

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Aid continues to pour in from East Asia, Europe

Continuing to stand beside its partner India, Japan flew in 2 aircraft of life-saving equipment that included oxygen concentrators, said the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)…reports Asian Lite News.

Global aid continues to pour in as India battles a massive second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Major consignments of medical supplies and equipment were received from South Korea, Japan, France, Italy and UK on Thursday, including oxygen concentrators, ventilators and rapid testing kits.

Continuing to stand beside its partner India, Japan flew in 2 aircraft of life-saving equipment that included oxygen concentrators, said the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

Aid from Britain (MEA)

“Cooperation with Japan continues. 2 aircrafts carrying a total consignment of 100 oxygen concentrators arrive from Japan. 4 aircrafts in 2 days from Japan have delivered a cumulative of 200 oxygen concentrators. Appreciate this continuing support from our partner Japan,” MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted.

Another East Asian partner, the Republic of Korea, sent a shipment of 10,000 rapid testing kits that were received by India on Thursday.

“Our continuing cooperation with Republic of Korea. Welcome the shipment of 10,000 rapid testing kits from Republic of Korea that arrived today,” said another tweet by the Bagchi.

Republic of Korea gifts 200 oxygen concentrators (Photo:MEA)

Two ISO containers arranged by France and facilitated by Qatar on board INS Trikand also reached Mumbai.

“A partnership across the seas brings tangible benefits on ground 2 ISO containers arranged by France, facilitated by Qatar & transported by @indiannavy on #INSTrikand reach Mumbai (India). Kasturba Hospital, Mumbai receives LMO. Others to also benefit,” the MEA Spokeperson’s tweet said.

A gift of 1,200 oxygen cylinders from British Oxygen Company arrived from UK on Thursday. This is in addition to the 1,350 oxygen cylinders that arrived from the UK on Tuesday. This is part of UK’s generous contribution of 5,000 oxygen cylinders.

“Welcome the gift of another 1200 oxygen cylinders from British Oxygen Company that arrived from the UK today. Appreciate the logistical support from Qatar Airways for this shipment,” the MEA Spokesperson mentioned.

Government of India has been receiving international donations and aid of COVID-19 relief medical supplies and equipment since April 27 from different countries and organisations to augment its efforts in fighting the unprecedented surge in COVID in the country, said an official statement from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Cumulatively, 9,294 Oxygen Concentrators; 11,835 Oxygen Cylinders; 19 Oxygen Generation Plants; 6,439 ventilators/Bi PAP; nearly 4.22 L Remdesivir vials delivered/ dispatched through road and air, from April 27 to May 12.

Major consignments received on Thursday from Kuwait, Singapore, Gilead, Switzerland, Spain and Egypt included 86,595 vials of anti-viral Remdesivir, 4,802 oxygen cylinders, 10 oxygen concentrators and 141 Ventilator/ BiPAP/ CPAP.

Effective immediate allocation, and streamlined delivery to the recipient states/UTs and institutions is an ongoing exercise.

The Union Health Ministry is comprehensively monitoring this on a regular basis. A dedicated Coordination Cell has been created in the Union Health Ministry to coordinate the receipt and allocation of foreign COVID relief material as grants, aid and donations.

This cell started functioning from April 26 this year. A Standard Operating Procedure has been framed and implemented by the Health Ministry since May 2. (INN)

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India gets 200 O2 concentrators from UK

A flight carrying medical equipment including 200 oxygen concentrators from South Korea has also arrived at Delhi airport today…reports Asian Lite News.

A Indian Air Force plane carrying 200 oxygen concentrators, arrived from the United Kingdom in Chhattisgarh’s Raipur on Tuesday night as part of COVID-19 assistance to India.

“IAF C-130 landed with 200 oxygen concentrators which are gifts from the Government of the United Kingdom,” said Raipur Airport director Rakesh Ranjan Sahay.

Similarly, medical aid from Netherlands and Switzerland arrived at Delhi airport today.

A flight carrying medical equipment including 200 oxygen concentrators from South Korea has also arrived at Delhi airport today. The spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Arindam Bagchi said that cooperation with the Republic of Korea has continued and appreciated the support from the country.

The worsening COVID-19 situation in India has seen a surge in the demand for medical oxygen and beds for the COVID-19 patients. Several countries around the world have come forward to help India as it continues to struggle with the increase in its health infrastructure needs caused by the rising coronavirus cases.

The member states of the European Union are delivering medical aid following India’s request for support as the country has witnessed a record surge in COVID-19 cases in the second wave of the pandemic.

The aid is being provided through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, which is coordinated by the Emergency Response Coordination Centre of the European Commission.

Several countries like Romania, Italy, Germany, France and Belgium have already sent in the supplies. (ANI)

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Modi reviews availability of oxygen, medicines

Modi reviews availability of oxygen, medicines

He was informed that the government is in regular touch with the manufacturers to enhance production of medicines and extend all help needed…reports Asian Lite News

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday chaired a high-level meeting to review availability and supply of oxygen and medicines to tackle Covid.

He was informed that the government is in regular touch with the manufacturers to enhance production of medicines and extend all help needed.

The Prime Minister was told that the government is actively monitoring the supply of drugs being used in the management of Covid as well as mucormycosis. He was also informed about the current production and stock of APIs for each such drug and that states are being provided medicines in good quantities.

The Prime Minister was also apprised that the production of all drugs including Remdesivir have been ramped up significantly in the last few weeks.

“India has a very vibrant pharma sector and the government’s continued close coordination with them will ensure proper availability of all medicines,” the Prime Minister said.

Oxygen cylinders

He also took stock of the situation on oxygen availability and supply in the country.

It was noted that the supply of oxygen is now more than three times the supply during the peak of the first wave.

The Prime Minister was briefed about the operations of Oxygen Expresses and sorties by IAF planes. He was also informed about the status of procurement of oxygen concentrators, oxygen cylinders as well as the status of PSA plants being installed across the country.

He also remarked that states should be asked to operationalise ventilators in a time-bound manner and resolve technical and training issues with the help of the manufacturers.

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Raveena’s great initiative for ‘breathless India’

The actress says they are reaching out to those who are well-off for funding, and acknowledges the cooperation of Chintu Kwatra and Khushiyan Foundation…reports Anjuri Nayar Singh.

Bollywood stars have also started their good initiatives for the nation that face a huge oxygen crisis amid the Covid surge. Actress Raveena Tandon says she is disturbed by the oxygen shortage in the capital amid the second wave of Covid and has taken it upon herself to send oxygen cylinders to the city.

Raveena has started an initiative called Oxygen Seva On The Wheels Mumbai To Delhi, where she is sending oxygen cylinders through her non-profit organisation, Rudra Foundation to the Capital.

“Just look around you, how can what’s happening not need you to do something, instead of just sitting and tweeting about it. As you can see, Delhi is almost gasping for breath, and this is the initiative a few likeminded people along with me decided to take up,” Raveena told .

The actress says they are reaching out to those who are well-off for funding, and acknowledges the cooperation of Chintu Kwatra and Khushiyan Foundation.

“I have dispersed a lot of 300 cylinders and for the rest, we are trying to generate funds from likeminded people, whether it is our friends or anyone who has extra money. We are not pressuring people, the common man to come forward and donate. At this moment, everyone needs to save for emergency that they might face. But yes, we are reaching out to people who can make a difference and asking them to chip in,” she says.

Not only shortage of oxygen, but people are also being forced to pay exorbitant prices for medical necessities. Talking about the same, the actress says: “Be it ambulances or hospitals, oxygen, oximeters, concentrators, the amount of money being charged is ridiculous. People in dire need of these things are desperate, anything to save their near and dear ones, and are shelling out their life’s savings. What can I say about these people taking advantage of the needy at the moment?” she says.

However, she adds that she has also been a lot of support for her initiative. “Many of my family members have chipped in, my extended family, cousins, like-minded friends, people have called me from various places and it is an initiative that is being supported by a lot of people,” she says.

Raveena adds that she is making sure to deliver the oxygen to the right people, so that it can go to those who need it, free of cost.

“What we are doing is a drop in the ocean of what is required, but the fact is that we have tied up with people where we know for sure this will go free of cost to the needy. We have tied up with DCP South Delhi, the police, and we are handing over a part of the lot that is going now. Then we are giving Radha Soami Satsang Beas cylinders because they have a centre at Chattarpur, which is free of cost. We are giving part of it to the army and another NGO, which has tied up with us. We are going through Twitter and verifying whoever is most needy at that time and sending cylinders there. It’s a personal one- to -one thing that we are doing,” she says.

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