Three PSA oxygen generation plants are currently being installed in district hospitals of Kohima, Dimapur and Mokokchung.
UNICEF, UNDP-Japan to boost oxygen supply in NE States
Morung Express News
Dimapur | May 10
Apart from the three Pressure Swing Absorption (PSA) oxygen generation plants currently being installed in Nagaland, eight more are on the way and are expected to be installed by this month.
The first three plants currently being installed in district hospitals of Kohima, Dimapur and Mokokchung are under the Prime Minister's Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situation Funds (PM CARES Funds), while two are from the Government of Japan and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) collaboration.
The rest (six) will be provided by the UNICEF (United Children’s Fund).
In a joint press statement, the Embassy of Japan in India and UNDP India on May 10 informed that the they have partnered to provide oxygen generation plants to the North Eastern Region in India.
In light of the critical need to ensure uninterrupted oxygen supply, the support from the people of Japan has enabled UNDP in procuring and installing eight PSA oxygen generation plants in the States of Meghalaya, Nagaland and Tripura, it said.
The hospitals, with a capacity of approximately 1,300 beds in total, have been identified in the region for these oxygen generation plants. Excess oxygen will be distributed among other health facilities in the hospitals’ vicinity. The installation sites are being prepared so that the oxygen production can start at the earliest possible, it added.
The statement further noted that the Government of Japan and UNDP India, since June 2020, have been jointly supporting the Government of India’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic through strengthening of health and social protection systems as well as reviving livelihoods to address the devastating impacts on the lives of the most vulnerable population.
When contacted, an official of the State Health Department informed that The Morung Express on Monday that equipment for two PSAs plant from Government of Japan-UNDP are on the way and may reach by later part of the month.
In addition, the official said that a virtual conference was also held today with UNICEF India regarding the remaining six PSA plants to be provided by the agency.
The six PSAs equipment would be shipped by the UNICEF and will reach the month for sure. The State has suggested before May 20 but there are issues of transportation and other logistics, the official replied, while queried on possible timeline of its arrival.
Meanwhile, the PTI news agency, quoting the State Health and Family Welfare Department, Joint Director, Dr Neisakho Kere said that PSA funded by UNDP-Government of Japan would be installed in Phek and Tuensang while the plants from UNICEF will cover the other remaining districts.
The former has capacity of generating 150 litre per minute (LPM) while the plants from the latter have 100-150 lpm, he added.
Kere further informed that the Centre is likely to grant two more 1000 lpm capacity plants for Kohima and Dimapur and claimed that “Nagaland will have enough oxygen for patients and will not face shortage even in the worst situation,” with these oxygen plants in place.
It is to be noted that while the equipment for the plants are provided by the concerned donators, civil works and other expenses are borne by the State Government.
