FDA to increases daily oxygen production to 1,100 metric tons in Maharashtra

Mumbai: The demand for oxygen has rapidly increased across Maharashtra as the COVID-19 cases are consecutively increasing.  As per data by the state Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), the state requires around 900 metric tons of oxygen per day for coronavirus infected patients who have difficulties in breathing. FDA has increased its daily production to more than 1,100 metric tons in order to address the growing demand for oxygen.

Patients with lower oxygen saturation levels than 94% are put on oxygen support. Currently, there are more than 2.50 lakh active COVID-19 cases in the state out of which 14,437 patients are on oxygen support, while 9,857 patients are in serious condition and are undergoing treatment at intensive care units (ICUs).

FDA, everyday gets over 25 calls from hospitals in the state seeking oxygen supply. The Senior FDA official said, “The collectors of districts inform us about the need for oxygen. Most requirements are from rural areas, especially in western Maharashtra, where cases are increasing gradually”.  Tracing the availability of suppliers, the official pointed out prior, there were only two suppliers, now there are six suppliers who provide oxygen needed for patients. However, we asked the manufacturers to increase the production, for now there is no crisis of oxygen in the state.”

Earlier, a month ago the state government had issued a notification for regulating the use of oxygen. The notification restricted oxygen use to 12 litres per minute in ICUs and 7 litres per minute in wards, though it brought severe criticism from doctors.

The state on September 21 withdrew the circular after facing backlash from doctors and medical experts.  The new guidelines issued by a central government-appointed expert committee to regulate use of oxygen. In which,  recommendations were made to restrict oxygen use by 40 litres per minute in ICUs and 15 litres per minute in wards, depending on the patient’s condition.

Dr Jalil Parkar, a pulmonologist at Lilavati Hospital confirmed there is no shortage of oxygen in city hospitals at present, but medical centres at rural Maharashtra are still facing a problem. T doctors have welcomed the FDA move to increase production as it will relax the regulation over oxygen usage.