No shortage of oxygen in India, use it judiciously: Centre

NEW DELHI: The Centre on Monday said medical oxygen being given to COVID-19 patients, especially in hospitals, should be used “judiciously” and claimed that there was “shortage” of the life-giving gas in the country.

At a routine briefing on steps taken by the government to battle the COVID-19 crisis, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Piyush Goyal told reporters that multiple efforts were being undertaken to enhance production and quickly transport oxygen to the hospitals and patients.

“It is very important for all the hospitals that they ensure judicious use of oxygen as per the guidelines issued in this context by the Union Health Ministry.

Many efforts are being undertaken in this context and we are getting positive results also.”

“We need to continuously monitor this so that very judicious use of oxygen is undertaken,” Goyal said.

He appealed to the citizens to not get “jittery about the lack of oxygen in the country.”

“Oxygen is available in adequate quantity in the country and efforts are being made to transport it to hospitals in the shortest possible time.”

“If we undertake this battle together, I have no doubt that we will be victorious,” the officer said.

Goyal was speaking to reporters in the presence of Joint Secretary, Union Health Ministry Lav Agarwal and AIIMS Director Dr Randeep Guleria.