The Delhi government is leaving no stone unturned and is taking all necessary steps which includes offering subsidies to private players who are setting up oxygen facilities to handle the COVID 19 situation said, Satyendar Jain, Minister of Health, Govt. of NCT of Delhi at an ASSOCHAM virtual Session on “Delhi Healthcare System” – Preparedness to combat 3rd wave of COVID-19.
Speaking at the event, Jain stated that the Delhi Government would be offering an incentive scheme to hospitals for setting up liquid medical oxygen (LMO) storage facility in their premises. “We would be offering an incentive of Rs 1 lakh per ton to these hospitals. So if the hospital sets up a 50 ton LMO storage facility which would usually cost them around Rs 70- 80 lakhs, Rs 50 lakhs would be given by the Delhi Government now,” he said.
He explained that during the second wave, Delhi faced an acute shortage of Oxygen during the treatment of patients, but this time they are well prepared. “The demand had gone as high as 700-750 tons per day. This time, even in worst situations, we would be able to generate more than 50 percent of the requirement from Delhi itself,” he said.
He informed that the government has already installed more than 50 PSA plants which are capable to generate around 250-300 tons of oxygen required in hospitals daily.
“The government has already made an arrangement of 37000 beds with oxygen supply attached to it dedicated to handle only COVID cases if it arises. Even during the second wave we had made arrangements for 23000 beds. This time we have also made arrangements to have intensive care units (ICU) in the hospital itself where the beds are arranged,” he said. He further explained that the Delhi government has already taken steps to add around 7000 more beds which would happen over a period of six months.
The Minister said that Delhi government has changed the benchmark for handling COVID cases in Delhi. “Unlike the national average of 5 percent COVID cases which is considered safe while testing, we have kept the limit at 0.5 percent. At 5 percent we would announce a complete lockdown. At the moment, we get around 1 patient for every 1000 patients we test. If we get 5 patients then we would activate the first level of response.”
Dr Lalit Khaitan, Chairman, Central Region Development Council, ASSOCHAM & CMD, Radico Khaitan Ltd stated that the Delhi government took several steps which were replicated in the other parts of the country. “Delhi Government was the first to set up a plasma bank by introducing the plasma therapy. Also, the model of home isolation which was first adopted by the Delhi government was replicated by other states as well,” he said while lauding the efforts of the Delhi Government.
Dr Sudhir Kalhan, Chairman, Healthcare Council ASSOCHAM, and Senior Consultant & Chairman, Institute of Minimal Access, Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital stated that due to efforts taken by the Delhi Government countless lives were saved. “The casualty rates would have been higher if the government had not taken stringent measures like introducing a complete lockdown,” he said.
Dr Kalhan revealed that the government has also increased the testing and vaccination efforts due to which the number of cases has also dropped sharply. “Vaccination is the key. Also the government is also taking immediate steps in places where they detect a case. This has helped reduce cases in Delhi,” he said.
Dr Vivek Nangia, Chief of Pulmonology – cluster 1, Max Healthcare and Principal Director & Head – Institute of Respiratory, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Max Hospital informed that COVID appropriate behaviour is very essential to prevent the third wave from coming. “We need to continue wearing the mask, maintain social distancing and ensure that there is no overcrowding. Next two – three months would be very important for us,” he said.
Dr Nangia stated that it is very important to get vaccinated. “Even abroad in places where the vaccination drive is low, there has been maximum number of cases reported. Africa is already passing its third wave and so are some parts of Europe,” he said.
