Faced with a short oxygen predicament during the second wave of coronavirus, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has commenced an operation to double the availability of medical oxygen in the times ahead.
According to reports, currently, Mumbai requires 200 metric tonnes (MT) of medical oxygen in a day. In April, when the second wave was in full force, 260-270 MT was needed, which created a frightening situation for a few days. To ensure that such a situation doesn’t arise again, the scheme will see to it that 400 MT of oxygen is available in the city with an avenue for self-sufficiency, stated P Velrasu, additional civic commissioner (projects), accorded some accounts.
The scheme is to establish further liquid medical oxygen tanks in hospitals, generating Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) by CSR along with self-funding and establish a refill station. The stress is on curating PSA plants since one of them can make 1 metric tonne of oxygen.
With the help of CSR funds, seven of these plants have been made Bhabha, Cooper and Kasturba hospitals.
In addition to this, the BMC is also placing further 16 PSA Plants at nine hospitals that would produce, 41MT of oxygen. Velrasu, according to reports also elucidated that when these plants will be assembled, they will produce nearly 48 MT of oxygen, paving the way for self-sufficiency in wards.
Another proposal which is on and could take two months, also cites that 45 more PSA plants at an estimated cost of Rs 240 cr will be set up. Whilst setting up a PSA plant requires Rs 2-2.5 cr, it will help sustain wards. However, they will not be able to act as replacements for high-pressure oxygen.
Currently, all of the 200 MT of liquid medical oxygen (LMO) is brought by suppliers such as Inox and Linde that send these to hospitals with 10-13 kilolitres tanks to hold it, cite accounts.
Furthermore, post the first wave, 21 LMOs were planted, BMC now looks to include four 13KL tanks in some of the jumbo facilities, with two 40KL tanks set to be imported for some jumbo centres.
Reports also state that at Mahalaxmi, a refilling station will be set up that can fill 100 dura cylinders daily.
Also Read: Nine Wards Contribute To 54% Of Active COVID-19 Cases, Says BMC
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