Manufacturers asked to keep 50% oxygen for medical use in Guj

Amid a fresh rise in COVID-19 cases in Gujarat, state health department has again directed oxygen production units to keep 50 per cent of ir production for medical use so that it could be easily me available to hospitals treating coronavirus patients.

state health department on September 10 also issued a similar tification.

In its new order dated vember 26, issued under various sections of Epidemic Diseases Act and Disaster Manment Act, department has directed oxygen production units to keep ir production uninterrupted and at ir maximum production capacity.

units have been directed to produce 50 per cent oxygen for medical use, to be supplied to hospitals in Gujarat, and divert remaining for industrial use.

units have also been asked to give priority to supply oxygen to hospitals as compared to industries, in case need arises.

order remains in operation till December 31, said tification A similar tification issued in September was effective for a month, and was t revised as number of COVID-19 cases at that time came down.

Gujarat Food and Drug Control ministration Commissioner H G Koshiya earlier said demand for medical oxygen reduced in October as compared to September.

oxygen consumption stood at 135 ton per day in October, compared to 240 tons per day in September, he said.

This happened during period when number of COVID-19 cases witnessed a decline in state.

However, in recent weeks, state has seen a new surge of COVID-19 cases, which has led to an increase in use of medical oxygen in hospitals treating such patients.

state reported 1,598 new coronavirus cases on Saturday, taking tally to 2,06,714, as per official figures. 

Im credits: PTI