Lekha G
The Delhi High Court has directed all the big hospitals in the national capital with 100 or more beds to install Pressure Swing Absorption (PSA) oxygen plants for treating Covid-19 patients owing to the shortage of oxygen supply in the country.
A Bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Jasmeet Singh has asked the Delhi Government’s Principal Secretary (Health) to file a status report on the same by May 27.
The Bench observed that, “The bitter experience that everyone has had in Delhi with huge shortage of medical oxygen has certainly left a lesson to be learnt particularly by hospitals.”
Further, the Court taking note of submission made by Max Hospital directed the Municipal Corporations and Delhi Development Authority to relax the building by-laws in connection to the coverage area required to install the PSA plants at open parking spaces of the hospitals.
In this regard, the Amicus Curiae to summon a meeting with the concerned authorities, representatives of the hospitals and nursing homes within a week.
The Court has also asked the Centre and Delhi government to appoint Nodal Officers to monitor the aspect of supply and installation of PSA plants in the hospitals if the same has not been done yet.
In regard to the status report filed by the Delhi Government and Centre about the installation of PSA plants in hospitals, the Court ordered that the installation of the plants manufactured in India should be given priority in case of a second wave of the virus.
Further, the Court has asked the Central and Delhi Government to file a status report respectively regarding augmentation of cryogenic tankers to carry medical oxygen for the national capital including the projected demand.