Oxygen shortage in India

 India is facing a severe oxygen shortage in the treatment of Covid-19 patients. Recently, there have been many news reports stating that how we are losing the battle of life against Covid-19 due to severe oxygen shortage in India. On the 5th of May, the oxygen demand of India surpassed the need for oxygen in Brazil by six multi-folds. During the second wave, the WHO stated that estimating 15% of Covid-19 patients are needed oxygen therapy. India currently has more than 2.5 crore active Covid-19 cases. This oxygen shortage in India snatched away many lives. In recent weeks, approx 178+ people died due to oxygen shortage. Delhi state government has reported a severe oxygen shortage and demanded a helping hand from the central government. 

In Goa, families of Covid-19 patients said there are more than 70+ deaths in the hospital just because of oxygen shortage. But the authorities allegedly denied the fact. Even High Court expressed its strong displeasure over the Covid-19 patient's death due to oxygen shortage in India and called it no less than a genocide. 

The reason behind the oxygen shortage

With the growing upsurge, the question arises that why India is facing this oxygen shortage. 

The main reason behind the oxygen shortage in India is the lack of efficiency of the system. According to the secretary of the Punjab health department Kumar Rahul, there is no centralized coordination of oxygen distribution and supply. The communication and coordination between state and central government have created a misleading approach towards oxygen supply and distribution. 

The second main reason behind the oxygen shortage is the lack of proper means of transport and storage of oxygen. The supply chain infrastructure of central and state health care departments is not capable enough to transport and manage the increased oxygen demand. The oxygen cylinders and their transport facilities are not adequate.

Source: Indiatoday

Also, the sudden increase in Covid-19 cases during the second wave created a severe lack of proper instruments and facilities. The sudden increase in oxygen demand is also affected by the lack of infrastructure. 

One of the most ignored reasons for oxygen shortage was the incident of foreign aid getting stuck in Delhi airport. Many countries are sending aids to help us in the hour of need. But the shipments were stuck at the custom for weeks. This highlights the inefficiency and carelessness of the system to the most heights. 

How we are coping up with the oxygen shortage?

Let's discuss how India is fighting and coping up with the grim scenario of oxygen shortage right now.

According to the biggest manufacturer of oxygen in India, INOX, it is wrong to blame the oxygen shortage in India on them. He says that the oxygen production of India is enough to keep up with the growing oxygen demand but the task of perfectly implicating the supply chain is much more complicated than thought in a nation that is at war against Covid-19 in 30 states altogether. 

India has also received oxygen aids from the US, UK, and France to cope up with the crisis of oxygen shortage. The US has sent over 1000 oxygen cylinders. We have also received 400 oxygen concentrators from the UK and 8 oxygen generators from France.

The oxygen shortage in India has become the reason for more than 200 deaths. Let's pray for the deceased and for their family to provide them more strength. Stay tuned for further updates.