Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday announced the procurement of 1.5 lakh Oxycare Systems to administer oxygen to COVID patients. Developed by the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) the systems were used by soldiers posted at high altitude in the Himalayas.
In total, the procurement will cost the government ₹ 322.5 crores which will be taken from the PM Cares Fund. These systems have sensors that measure the SpO2 level of a patient and accordingly adjust the oxygen supply as per need. This is expected to reduce the workload of healthcare workers by eliminating the need for routine measurement and manual adjustment of oxygen flow. The healthcare workers will also be able to reduce their exposure to COVID patients.
DRDO has transferred the technology to multiple industries in India that will be producing the systems for use all across India.
India is witnessing a huge short supply of oxygen cylinders. Everyday news is coming from parts of India that people are dying due to lack of oxygen. While the government is now trying to boost the supply of oxygen, there is still a huge demand-supply gap.
