Amid a shortage of medical oxygen in the national capital, the centre yesterday hiked Delhi’s oxygen quota, but still, there are several hospitals in the city which are crying for immediate oxygen supply.
“Delhi is facing an oxygen crisis for the past few days. Centre fixes oxygen quota for all states. As per the Delhi government’s estimate, the union territory needs 700 tonnes/day, the central government had fixed it to 378 tonnes earlier and increased it to 480 tons yesterday. We need more but we’re thankful to them for this,” said Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal.
Delhi is facing Oxygen crisis for past few days. Centre fixes Oxygen quota for all states. As per Delhi govt’s estimate, the UT needs 700 tons/day, Centre had fixed it to 378 tons earlier & increased it to 480 tons y’day. We need more but we’re thankful to them for this: Delhi CM pic.twitter.com/Wdg6Gbti5S
— ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2021
In our increased quota, Oxygen is scheduled to come from Odisha too. So it will take some time for Oxygen to reach Delhi. We are making an effort to see if we can bring Oxygen from there by air route said Kejriwal.
Meanwhile, there is a crisis of ICU beds’ says Delhi health minister, Satyendar Jain.
On Thursday he pointed out a crisis in ICU beds, as well, and said, “There is a crisis of ICU beds. We have made a request to the Centre, I think they will give us 700-800 more ICU beds soon. We have demanded 7,000 beds in the central government-run hospitals, they have given us around 2,000.”
Situation is different in different hospitals; 6 hours in some, 8 in others 10 in some others. We can’t call this a comfortable situation: Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain when asked about situation of Oxygen in Delhi hospitals & how long will Oxygen last in each of them pic.twitter.com/T85WWL8gDI
— ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2021
On the other hand, Supreme Court asked the Centre to present a national plan on the supply of oxygen, essential drugs today.
The Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognizance on supply of oxygen, supply of essential drugs, method of vaccination and the judicial power to declare lockdown and asks the center to present a national plan after noting at least six different high courts have been hearing the matter with their own priorities.
Sr adv Harish Salve has been appointed as amicus curiae in the matter. SC will hear the suo motu matter tomorrow.