Bhubaneswar: At a time when several states are reeling under acute shortage of oxygen cylinders, a consignment of such cylinders from China reached Odisha Sunday. A cargo aircraft from China carrying cylinders landed at Biju Patnaik International Airport here.
Western Odisha Development Council (WODC) Chairman Asit Tripathy confirmed this, terming the receiving of cylinders from China as the first of its kind in the country.
“The addition of these cylinders will go a long way in meeting the oxygen demand in the state. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has been laying emphasis that no patient should die due to unavailability of oxygen,” Tripathy said.
In two months, more than 14,000 additional oxygen cylinders have been added to the state’s capacity. The cylinders from China will further increase it. As of now, the state government is making sure that medical institutions are getting a fair share of cylinders. At the same time, it is concerned about creating a reserve of this essential equipment, he added.
PNN
