COVID-19 patients and NGOs are struggling to keep their oxygen cylinders filled

29

Oct

PRAKSHI RAWAT

Patients' families and also non-government agencies and volunteer networks to provide these services for individuals, are finding it very hard to have their oxygen production plant. One of the reasons is the government's desire to tighten down on people who hoard oxygen cylinders and simplify the supply to hospitals. Individuals bringing vacant cylinders to oxygen facilities have already been advised to just not fill them.

However, people who already are truly in most need of oxygen and receiving treatment at home have already been inconvenienced by this approach.

"We've been giving cylinders to individuals in need through our network." Individuals travelling to the plant to refill cylinders have indeed been having issues for the past few days. "Some Oxygen plants' workers are requesting discharge documents from hospitals or letters from doctors to refill cylinders," said Sabeen Nazir of the Naasih Foundation.

"Since March 9, we have directed plants not to refill cylinders brought by individuals," said senior IAS officer Munish Moudgil. People may be selling cylinders on the illegal market, thus initiatives have been introduced to prevent hoarding. Individual Oxygen cylinder filling plants will result in the lack of oxygen in hospitals. It is preferable for all of those who require oxygen to receive treatment for patients."

NGOs, on the other hand, argue that whereas increasing supply to institutions is critical, governments must also consider the true demands of patients.