Kriti Agrawal
On Monday Centre in a report on medical oxygen supply submitted to the High Court said that, a total allocation of 8,410 metric tonnes of medical oxygen has been made for 22 high burden states and union territories based on their demand, the Centre told the High Court on Tuesday.
The central government has informed the Gujarat High Court that it is supplementing oxygen supply for Covid-19 patients from all available sources within India as well as importing it from other countries through diplomatic channels as well as personal involvement of the political executive.
The states should also make an effort to control their oxygen demand by rationally using this scarce and vital resource through continuous and close monitoring of hospitals and rigorous auditing of oxygen use.
While hearing a PIL on the Covid-19 situation Suo motu, a division bench of Chief Justice Vikram Nath and Justice B D Karia sought the Centre’s response.
According to the Union government, it is enhancing oxygen supply from all available sources within India as well as importing oxygen from other countries through not only diplomatic channels but also personal involvement of the political executive.
The Centre said “It is submitted that, while this exercise is primarily focused on managing the supply side of medical oxygen, it is critical that all states work together to manage the demand side by focusing on rational use of this scarce and critical resource in the current circumstances by continuous and close monitoring of all hospitals as well as stringent measures of omission.”