Become self-sufficient in oxygen production, upgrade pediatric ICUs: Jagan to hospitals

Vijayawada In the wake of experts predicting the state's oxygen requirement to rise in the near future and the imminent threat of a COVID-19 third wave, which could target children, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy instructed the officials to ensure that every single COVID-19 hospital in the state with more than 50 beds, becomes self-sufficient in oxygen availability within the next four months. Data showed that AP's mortality rate had fallen to 0.65 per cent as compared to country's 1.11 per cent.

During a review meeting on the COVID-19 situation in the state, he said, "Every single hospital should have a dedicated oxygen generator. They should at least produce enough oxygen to meet their own requirement. In government hospitals, the state will make sure facilities are installed. For private hospitals, the government can offer attractive incentives or subsidies to encourage the management to do the same. We should soon become self-sufficient. We should not depend on external sources for our survival. Apart from hospitals producing for their own consumption, we will also source additional oxygen from various other quarters as well."

Numerous experts have voiced their concerns over children becoming the most impacted and vulnerable section very soon. The unavailability of vaccines for this age group adds to the looming trouble. As a measure towards preparing for such eventualities, the CM asked the health authorities to ramp up facilities for children with a special focus on pediatric ICU facilities and closely track the same.

The state government had earlier agreed to provide free treatment to 77 per cent of COVID-19 and black fungus patients under the YSR Arogyasri scheme. As of Friday, out of the 38,763 patients who are being treated across the state, a total of 28,189 persons were being given free treatment under the scheme.

The CM was briefed about the measures undertaken to control the impact of black fungus. Apart from forming an expert committee to monitor, allocate and advise on the drugs and facilities, the CM was informed that orders have been placed for all the drugs prescribed by the doctors to ensure that there is no shortage in the future. As many as 17 hospitals have been identified across the state for the treatment of black fungus, depending on the availability of expertise.

According to data from the state, the total number of calls 104 had received since 16 April are 3,86,407. The doctors had made a minimum of 30,000 outbound calls to those in home isolation.