An acute shortage of medical oxygen plants had severe consequences on people’s lives across the country. Many families were unable to get vital covid care due to the sudden surge of cases leading to the influx of patients. The need for medical oxygen was evident all over the country, including opulent hospitals in metropolitan cities. An imbalance between supply and demand, logistical difficulties, and lack of infrastructure were some of the most clear-cut factors that led to this chaos.
But, this in certain sense, did highlight the need for improving health systems across the country. The Government sanctioned funds for producing medical oxygen to be distributed across the country based on the extremity of cases. Private institutions contributed towards developing the necessary infrastructure and citizen groups and CSOs lent their support by donating, collecting and organising information regarding availability.
Though many lost their lives initially, gradual developments ensured that many patients were able to receive lifesaving treatment. Many government hospitals across the country now have better infrastructure and oxygen reserves. The public health systems are now in a much better position to control surges.
In a small district such as the Nilgiri, the majority of the low-income population largely depend on the public health system. Though the cases weren’t as severe as it was in other small districts nationally, the need for better infrastructure was stark.
Last week – with support from HCL Foundation, Keystone donated an oxygen adsorption plant (130 liters per minute) to the government hospital in Kotagiri. District Collector J. Innocent Divya inaugurated the plant along with head doctors of the hospital and Pratim Roy, our Founder Director.
At the event, the District collector addressed the small group that gathered at the launch. She mentioned how it’s important to look at the bright side of things even during such a pandemic – highlighting the public-private partnership that had emerged to address the covid scenario.
The government hospital is now equipped and in an enduring position to provide covid care for the local population. The low covid cases since the first wave clearly indicate the tremendous work the District Administration has carried out since the beginning of the pandemic. At present, all three major towns – Ooty, Coonoor and Kotagir have oxygen plants installed on site.
By Ritwick Charles
