In preparation for an impending third wave, the Meghalaya government will set another four PSA/Cryogenic oxygen plants in community health centres to meet any eventuality that may arise from the Covid-19 pandemic.
The four plants from the UNICEF that will be set up are at Phulbari CHC, Dadengre CHC, Pyrnusla CHC and Baghmara CHC. The state government is setting up one in Sohra CHC from its own resources.
Deputy Director of Health Services (MI) Dr. Christine D Lyngdoh who is also the nodal in-charge of Oxygen generation and distribution in the state said, “Though they are yet to be commissioned, but we expect at least 75 per cent completion by September 15 subject to delivery of components and materials by the various companies on time. Yes, the lockdown has affected the process of completion quite a bit, but the department is geared up to meet any challenges.”
Meghalaya already installed two cryogenic tanks with cylinder filling facility at Covid Step Down Hospital, Umsawli and another in Jengjal, West Garo Hills district inaugurate yesterday.
“With the new plants becoming operational well before the stipulated time and the remaining shortly, we are more than self-sufficient. In fact last year during the peak period when O2 was in high demand in almost all health care facilities both private and public, we easily managed to cater to the requirement which peaked at 13 MT,” she said adding, “Most of the plants have been sponsored by the Government of India, PM Cares, UNDP and UNICEF and we are happy to fulfil all the requirements in time.”
Dr Lyngdoh informed that the cryogenic tank at Umsawli with the capacity of 13 KL can refill up to 1,000 D-Type cylinders per day and the cryogenic Tank at Jengjal Tura with the capacity of 20 KL can refill up to 1,500-2,000 D-Type cylinders per day.
The PSA Oxygen generation plants now fully operational in Meghalaya include Civil Hospital Shillong which generates 600 LPM for 60-70 beds and RP Chest Hospital which generates 300 LPM for 30-40 beds, both built by Absstem Technologies and Ganesh Das Government MCH Hospital which generates 400 LPM for 40-50 beds and built by Airox Technology, all funded by PM Cares.
The other plants include one in Tura Civil Hospital (West Garo Hills) which generates 500 LPM for 50-60 beds, Jowai MCH Hospital (Jaiñtia Hills) which generates 150 LPM for 20-30 beds and Nongpoh Civil Hospital (Ri-Bhoi) which generates 150 LPM for 20-30 beds, all built by Uttam Air Products and sponsored by UNDP.
“The total Oxygen cylinders available in the state are 4,653 D Type and 2,691 B Type with the total capacity of 32,571 Cubic Meters and these have already been distributed to all the facilities in the state,” Dr Lyngdoh said.
With the setting up of more PSA Plants and ramping of oxygen cylinders the availability of oxygen in the State is now 33 MT and storage capacity is 96 MT which is well beyond the actual requirement, she added.
