China offers small oxygen production plants

Aftab Ahmed

Islamabad: China has offered Pakistan small oxygen production plants to install at the hospital sites for covid-19 patients.

Sources told Newztodays.com that the government has directed the Ministry of Industries and Production to enhance the national Oxygen production volumes, including exploring the option of imports of small oxygen production plants, China has offered.

It further directed the ministry that the installation of oxygen production plants china had offered, would help maintain sufficient buffer stock to cater for the rising number of critical care patients.

Officials said that there are no signs of the third wave slowing as yet. The number of critical care patients had crossed 5000, i.e. the highest at any stage of the pandemic in the country, and were on the rise.

Had it not been for the addition of beds by the government since the start of the pandemic, the hospitals’ capacity would have been overwhelmed. They require an oxygen cylinder for patients.

Preparation for financial/logistical support, in case of a lockdown, became inevitable in the 15-16 districts with high positivity rate, were also at hand.

The Oxygen supply to date was enough to cater to demand. Through better management, the government had augmented national Oxygen production volumes and could divert the industrial gas use to healthcare in case of emergency. In addition, the government was also importing options of gas from Iran and small production plants.

At present, out of the national daily production, the Health sector was using 500 MT for oxygen, and the industry consuming 210 MT. The small oxygen production plants will also help enhance supply.

If the government diverts industrial gas, it could meet the demand of 12,500 critical care covid-19 patients. However, to remain above the curve, the government will carry buffer stocks to cater to the need of at least 25,000 patients by producing gas through small production plants.

Pakistan has purchased 3.7 million as of now. It has vaccinated 2 million citizens. The government has opened third registration for citizens aged between 40 to 50 years while those above 50 years could walk in and get inoculated.

The Commerce and Foreign Affairs Division shall explore the option of importing gas from Iran or China and oxygen production plants.