While the whole country faces the worst of the pandemic and the numbers of Covid positive patients run in thousands, There are some people who are ready to risk their own lives to save others.&nbsp;

Manzoor Ahmad, 48, is an Asthma patient who has been on Oxygen for the last 3 years. He drives a small truck to deliver Oxygen cylinders to Covid positive patients in need. This pandemic has not stopped him from doing his job. He says that he knows the feeling of not getting enough Oxygen and the need for these cylinders.&nbsp;

"For the sake of Humanity, if I am able to deliver the Oxygen to anyone, and save his life or he feels any relief, it's a great feeling for me. I myself am an Asthma patient, and I know how much this Oxygen means to patients at a time when their saturation is low. This is my bit of what I want to do for people," says Manzoor Ahmad, the Covid warrior.

Manzoor carries Oxygen cylinders with him in his truck 24/7. He is prone to infection as his lungs are already weak. But not only does he deliver these Oxygen cylinders to patients' homes but also gets them refilled at the Oxygen facility. He says he also has a family to feed and can't give up so early in life.

“I can't sit at home, Due to ongoing pandemic, I work and earn for my family. They are dependent on me. My medicines are expensive, around 6-7 thousand rupees per month. The family also has expenses so I have to come out. But I want people to not lose hope. They should stay strong.” said Manzoor Ahmad

Manzoor is an example of courage, who has not given up on helping others. It’s people like him who are keeping the humanity alive.

While the whole country faces the worst of the pandemic and the numbers of Covid positive patients run in thousands, There are some people who are ready to risk their own lives to save others.

While the whole country faces the worst of the pandemic and the numbers of Covid positive patients run in thousands, There are some people who are ready to risk their own lives to save others. Manzoor Ahmad, 48, is an Asthma patient who has been on Oxygen for the last 3 years. He drives a small truck to deliver Oxygen cylinders to Covid positive patients in need. This pandemic has not stopped him from doing his job. He says that he knows the feeling of not getting enough Oxygen and the need for these cylinders. "For the sake of Humanity, if I am able to deliver the Oxygen to anyone, and save his life or he feels any relief, it's a great feeling for me. I myself am an Asthma patient, and I know how much this Oxygen means to patients at a time when their saturation is low. This is my bit of what I want to do for people," says Manzoor Ahmad, the Covid warrior. Manzoor carries Oxygen cylinders with him in his truck 24/7. He is prone to infection as his lungs are already weak. But not only does he deliver these Oxygen cylinders to patients' homes but also gets them refilled at the Oxygen facility. He says he also has a family to feed and can't give up so early in life. “I can't sit at home, Due to ongoing pandemic, I work and earn for my family. They are dependent on me. My medicines are expensive, around 6-7 thousand rupees per month. The family also has expenses so I have to come out. But I want people to not lose hope. They should stay strong.” said Manzoor Ahmad Manzoor is an example of courage, who has not given up on helping others. It’s people like him who are keeping the humanity alive.

India Covid warriors: Asthmatic driver, himself on oxygen support, supplies O2 cylinders to Covid patients

As India's government scrambles for supplies of oxygen and other emergency aid to control the raging coronavirus outbreak, donors around the world have come to the rescue including a Hindu temple in the United Arab Emirates.

On Monday, volunteers from the country's Hindu community gathered at the Jebel Ali Port, here at the northern end of Dubai, to haul hundreds of cylinders of liquid oxygen and massive containers of compressed oxygen onto a ship, where it will head to crisis-wracked India.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="India covid crisis: International assistance delivered at AIIMS, Safdarjung, Lady Harding, ITBP, DRDO">India covid crisis: International assistance delivered at AIIMS, Safdarjung, Lady Harding, ITBP, DRDO</a>

The organisers, Indian owners of a Dubai helium factory, shifted production to oxygen when the latest surge in virus cases hit India.

As calls for help back home grew, the factory enlisted the help of the main Hindu temple based in the UAE's capital of Abu Dhabi, BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, to send oxygen supplies.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="Private jets in demand: Indians flee the country, fly to UAE to escape Covid surge">Private jets in demand: Indians flee the country, fly to UAE to escape Covid surge</a>

COVID-19 patients are suffocating in India's capital, New Delhi, and other cities because of the shortage.

Hindu spiritual leaders, dressed in saffron robes, came to bless the oxygen before sending it out, showering rose petals on the shipment and marking the cylinders with traditional orange dye.

The UAE's economy is powered by millions of foreign workers from Southeast Asia. Indian citizens make up nearly 30 per cent of the population.&nbsp;

As India's government scrambles for supplies of oxygen and other emergency aid to control the raging coronavirus outbreak, donors around the world have come to the rescue including a Hindu temple in the United Arab Emirates.

As India's government scrambles for supplies of oxygen and other emergency aid to control the raging coronavirus outbreak, donors around the world have come to the rescue including a Hindu temple in the United Arab Emirates. On Monday, volunteers from the country's Hindu community gathered at the Jebel Ali Port, here at the northern end of Dubai, to haul hundreds of cylinders of liquid oxygen and massive containers of compressed oxygen onto a ship, where it will head to crisis-wracked India. Also read | India covid crisis: International assistance delivered at AIIMS, Safdarjung, Lady Harding, ITBP, DRDO The organisers, Indian owners of a Dubai helium factory, shifted production to oxygen when the latest surge in virus cases hit India. As calls for help back home grew, the factory enlisted the help of the main Hindu temple based in the UAE's capital of Abu Dhabi, BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, to send oxygen supplies. Also read | Private jets in demand: Indians flee the country, fly to UAE to escape Covid surge COVID-19 patients are suffocating in India's capital, New Delhi, and other cities because of the shortage. Hindu spiritual leaders, dressed in saffron robes, came to bless the oxygen before sending it out, showering rose petals on the shipment and marking the cylinders with traditional orange dye. The UAE's economy is powered by millions of foreign workers from Southeast Asia. Indian citizens make up nearly 30 per cent of the population.

Hindu community, temple in UAE help ship oxygen containers to Covid-hit India

The Japanese government and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have partnered to provide oxygen to India's northeast, specifically by procuring eight Pressure Swing Absorption (PSA) oxygen generation plants.

The development comes even as India faces a devastating surge of Covid impacting many through the length and breadth of the country. The oxygen generation plants will be installed in the northeastern states of Meghalaya, Nagaland, and Tripura. Together, these oxygen plants can support 1,300 beds.&nbsp;

Japanese envoy to India, Satoshi Suzuki, said, "Japan stands with India, our friend, and partner, in her efforts to fight against COVID-19 pandemic in this critical time".

"India’s northeast occupies a special place for Japan-India relations and I sincerely hope that the oxygen generation plants will help those people in need in the northeastern region of India.”&nbsp;

As of now, installation sites are being prepared so that oxygen production can start as soon as possible. Meanwhile, any excess oxygen will be distributed to health facilities near the installation plant. Amid the Covid crisis, India's focus has been to get oxygen or oxygen production and carrying units like generators and tankers. Over the weekend, Japan has gifted 100 oxygen concentrators to India and has told New Delhi that it is ready to provide additional items worth $50 million to deal with Covid crisis. &nbsp;

Resident Representative of UNDP India Shoko Noda said, “I would like to thank the people of Japan for this critical support that will allow UNDP to ensure uninterrupted flow of oxygen in hospitals and health centers in the region, especially those in hard-to-reach areas." &nbsp;

It is important to remember that Japan's support to India's northeast is not new and the country is developing mega infrastructure and connectivity projects in the region, which could in future connect to neighboring countries like Bangladesh. &nbsp;

Both sides also meet regularly under the Act East Forum that is co-chaired by Foreign secretary Harsh Shringla and the Japanese envoy to India Suzuki Satoshi. Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA) stands at over Rs 1600 crore in India's northeast and is supporting projects in several states in the north east. &nbsp;

For example, in Guwahati, it is helping in sewerage projects and in Sikkim, in road development. Japan is also supporting the construction of the Dhubri-Phulbari bridge, whose foundation laying ceremony took place earlier this year. The bridge is going to be the longest river bridge in India and will cut short travel time across the Brahmaputra River from more than 8 hours to less than 30 minutes. &nbsp;

The Japanese government and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have partnered to provide oxygen to India's northeast, specifically by procuring eight Pressure Swing Absorption (PSA) oxygen generation plants.

The Japanese government and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have partnered to provide oxygen to India's northeast, specifically by procuring eight Pressure Swing Absorption (PSA) oxygen generation plants. The development comes even as India faces a devastating surge of Covid impacting many through the length and breadth of the country. The oxygen generation plants will be installed in the northeastern states of Meghalaya, Nagaland, and Tripura. Together, these oxygen plants can support 1,300 beds. Japanese envoy to India, Satoshi Suzuki, said, "Japan stands with India, our friend, and partner, in her efforts to fight against COVID-19 pandemic in this critical time". "India’s northeast occupies a special place for Japan-India relations and I sincerely hope that the oxygen generation plants will help those people in need in the northeastern region of India.” As of now, installation sites are being prepared so that oxygen production can start as soon as possible. Meanwhile, any excess oxygen will be distributed to health facilities near the installation plant. Amid the Covid crisis, India's focus has been to get oxygen or oxygen production and carrying units like generators and tankers. Over the weekend, Japan has gifted 100 oxygen concentrators to India and has told New Delhi that it is ready to provide additional items worth $50 million to deal with Covid crisis. Resident Representative of UNDP India Shoko Noda said, “I would like to thank the people of Japan for this critical support that will allow UNDP to ensure uninterrupted flow of oxygen in hospitals and health centers in the region, especially those in hard-to-reach areas." It is important to remember that Japan's support to India's northeast is not new and the country is developing mega infrastructure and connectivity projects in the region, which could in future connect to neighboring countries like Bangladesh. Both sides also meet regularly under the Act East Forum that is co-chaired by Foreign secretary Harsh Shringla and the Japanese envoy to India Suzuki Satoshi. Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA) stands at over Rs 1600 crore in India's northeast and is supporting projects in several states in the north east. For example, in Guwahati, it is helping in sewerage projects and in Sikkim, in road development. Japan is also supporting the construction of the Dhubri-Phulbari bridge, whose foundation laying ceremony took place earlier this year. The bridge is going to be the longest river bridge in India and will cut short travel time across the Brahmaputra River from more than 8 hours to less than 30 minutes.

India Covid crisis: Japan, UNDP reach out to northeast states with oxygen 

A Singapore-based education foundation has dispatched more than 500 oxygen concentrators to India to save the lives of coronavirus patients in the remotest corner of the country.&nbsp;

Global Schools Foundation (GSF) reached out to Sewa International, a huge network of social initiatives across India, to tap their deep local resources and get these oxygen concentrators to the small towns and villages deep inside the country. &nbsp;

These concentrators are in addition to the first shipment of 200 oxygen cylinders sent on an urgent basis as part of a larger consignment on board the Indian Navy warship Airavat. &nbsp;

"We are saving lives in India by sending life-saving equipment, such as Oxygen concentrators and cylinders. They can be used within hospitals or at venues of social organisations or community centres," said Atul Temurnikar, Chairman of GSF. &nbsp;

"It is our duty to ensure we reach this benefit to the remotest corner of India and GSF would do whatever it can to assist in Covid-relief measures," he said on Saturday.&nbsp;

India has been dealing with shortages of Oxygen tanks as the second wave of COVID-19 hit the country hard. &nbsp;

India on Sunday reported 4,03,738 fresh COVID-19 cases, which pushed the tally to 2,22,96,414, according to the Union health ministry data.&nbsp;

The death toll climbed to 2,42,362 with 4,092 daily deaths.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

GSF runs 23 international schools under its aegis. &nbsp;

A Singapore-based education foundation has dispatched more than 500 oxygen concentrators to India to save the lives of coronavirus patients in the remotest corner of the country.

A Singapore-based education foundation has dispatched more than 500 oxygen concentrators to India to save the lives of coronavirus patients in the remotest corner of the country. Global Schools Foundation (GSF) reached out to Sewa International, a huge network of social initiatives across India, to tap their deep local resources and get these oxygen concentrators to the small towns and villages deep inside the country. These concentrators are in addition to the first shipment of 200 oxygen cylinders sent on an urgent basis as part of a larger consignment on board the Indian Navy warship Airavat. "We are saving lives in India by sending life-saving equipment, such as Oxygen concentrators and cylinders. They can be used within hospitals or at venues of social organisations or community centres," said Atul Temurnikar, Chairman of GSF. "It is our duty to ensure we reach this benefit to the remotest corner of India and GSF would do whatever it can to assist in Covid-relief measures," he said on Saturday. India has been dealing with shortages of Oxygen tanks as the second wave of COVID-19 hit the country hard. India on Sunday reported 4,03,738 fresh COVID-19 cases, which pushed the tally to 2,22,96,414, according to the Union health ministry data. The death toll climbed to 2,42,362 with 4,092 daily deaths. GSF runs 23 international schools under its aegis.

Singapore-based education foundation sends over 500 oxygen concentrators to India  

An Indian-American group of physicians is shipping 5,000 oxygen concentrators to India to save the lives of the people infected with the coronavirus.&nbsp;

The recently-created Federation of Indian Physicians Association (FIPA) said on Friday that the 5,000 oxygen concentrators have already been purchased. Of these, 450 units have already reached Ahmedabad, 325 are on their way to Delhi and 300 others to Mumbai.&nbsp;

"These units are to be received by local Indian partners, hospitals, makeshift isolation centers, newly created mobile hospitals and charities so that local partners in the remote parts of India can use these units to provide oxygen to Covid patients as needed," said DR Raj Bhayani, president, FIPA.&nbsp;

About 3,500 units are still waiting to be shipped, he said, adding that FIPA has reached out to the Indian embassy, and the ministry of aviation and Air India to help transport these units immediately.&nbsp;

With a record of 4,14,188 new coronavirus infections being reported in a day, India's total tally of COVID-19 cases climbed to 2,14,91,598, while the death toll increased to 2,34,083 with 3,915 fatalities reported in 24 hours on Friday, according to the Union Health Ministry data.&nbsp;

Iowa-based Sehgal Foundation, the non-profit body which works in the rural areas of India, in a separate statement said that it is sending 200 oxygen concentrators to India.&nbsp;

The foundation said it is working tirelessly to ensure that the help is reached out to the people grappling with the COVID-19 surge in India.&nbsp;

Indian-Americans in Greater Boston, a community organisation, is organising a 5k Virtual Walk/Run over the weekend to raise funds for its COVID-19 assistance to India.&nbsp;

Kerala Association of Connecticut has started a fundraiser campaign to help combat the COVID-19 surge situation in India. The money donated will be directed towards Providing Oxygenators to Hospitals via Give India platform and their community partners, the association said.&nbsp;

Headed by Krishna Srinivasan, the association is targeting to raise USD 5,000.&nbsp;

Indian-American Vandana Karna on Saturday launched another fundraising campaign to save lives in rural Bihar. In just a few hours, Bihar Aid raised more than USD 8,000 of the initial target of USD 10,000.&nbsp;

"This is our first call to help with shipment of the following to Darbhanga where several areas have been sealed due to high infection rate," Karna said.&nbsp;

Bihar Aid plans to send Oxygen flow meters, Oxygen cylinders (D type), Oxygen concentrators, Pulse oximeter and sensor-based sanitising machines and PSA (Pressure Swing Adsorption) oxygen generation plants, she said. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

An Indian-American group of physicians is shipping 5,000 oxygen concentrators to India to save the lives of the people infected with the coronavirus. The recently-created Federation of Indian Physicians Association (FIPA) said on Friday that the 5,000 oxygen concentrators have already been purchased.

An Indian-American group of physicians is shipping 5,000 oxygen concentrators to India to save the lives of the people infected with the coronavirus. The recently-created Federation of Indian Physicians Association (FIPA) said on Friday that the 5,000 oxygen concentrators have already been purchased. Of these, 450 units have already reached Ahmedabad, 325 are on their way to Delhi and 300 others to Mumbai. "These units are to be received by local Indian partners, hospitals, makeshift isolation centers, newly created mobile hospitals and charities so that local partners in the remote parts of India can use these units to provide oxygen to Covid patients as needed," said DR Raj Bhayani, president, FIPA. About 3,500 units are still waiting to be shipped, he said, adding that FIPA has reached out to the Indian embassy, and the ministry of aviation and Air India to help transport these units immediately. With a record of 4,14,188 new coronavirus infections being reported in a day, India's total tally of COVID-19 cases climbed to 2,14,91,598, while the death toll increased to 2,34,083 with 3,915 fatalities reported in 24 hours on Friday, according to the Union Health Ministry data. Iowa-based Sehgal Foundation, the non-profit body which works in the rural areas of India, in a separate statement said that it is sending 200 oxygen concentrators to India. The foundation said it is working tirelessly to ensure that the help is reached out to the people grappling with the COVID-19 surge in India. Indian-Americans in Greater Boston, a community organisation, is organising a 5k Virtual Walk/Run over the weekend to raise funds for its COVID-19 assistance to India. Kerala Association of Connecticut has started a fundraiser campaign to help combat the COVID-19 surge situation in India. The money donated will be directed towards Providing Oxygenators to Hospitals via Give India platform and their community partners, the association said. Headed by Krishna Srinivasan, the association is targeting to raise USD 5,000. Indian-American Vandana Karna on Saturday launched another fundraising campaign to save lives in rural Bihar. In just a few hours, Bihar Aid raised more than USD 8,000 of the initial target of USD 10,000. "This is our first call to help with shipment of the following to Darbhanga where several areas have been sealed due to high infection rate," Karna said. Bihar Aid plans to send Oxygen flow meters, Oxygen cylinders (D type), Oxygen concentrators, Pulse oximeter and sensor-based sanitising machines and PSA (Pressure Swing Adsorption) oxygen generation plants, she said. (With inputs from agencies)

Indian-American physicians sending 5,000 oxygen concentrators to India  

Saudi Arabia on Friday came ahead and assured supply of medical oxygen to India which is witnessing a massive second wave of the deadly pandemic. India has got assurance of liquid medical Oxygen (LMO) supply from the kingdom.

Indian oil minister Dharmendra Pradhan thanked Saudi Arabia on Twitter on Friday. He thanked Saudi energy minister and member of the royal family Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud.

In addition to the LMO, Saudi Arabia has also indicated willingness to supply ISO containers to India for the next six months.

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6. My deep appreciation to HRH Abdulaziz, HE Dr Sultan Jaber, HE Sherida al-Kaabi for their extended support &amp; special gesture of solidarity with India through the offer of ISO Containers for the next 6 months.Assurance of steady commercial supply of LMO to India is also welcomed <a href="https://t.co/PRZMNChT7f">pic.twitter.com/PRZMNChT7f</a>
— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) <a href="https://twitter.com/dpradhanbjp/status/1390690145079218184?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 7, 2021</a></blockquote>
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India is still in the clutches of the pandemic. Government data available on Saturday (May 8) showed that a record 4187 fatalities had occurred in a single day. This took the total death toll to 238,270.

401,078 new infections were reported in a day, pushing the tally to 21,892,676.

Hospitals in many parts of the country are still facing shortage of medical Oxygen. Although vaccination drive has started and every Indian above the age of 18 is eligible, many states have been forced to temporarily stop the vaccination drive due to vaccine shortage.

Saudi Arabia on Friday came ahead and assured supply of medical oxygen to India which is witnessing a massive second wave of the deadly pandemic. India has got assurance of liquid medical Oxygen (LMO) supply from the kingdom.

Saudi Arabia on Friday came ahead and assured supply of medical oxygen to India which is witnessing a massive second wave of the deadly pandemic. India has got assurance of liquid medical Oxygen (LMO) supply from the kingdom. Indian oil minister Dharmendra Pradhan thanked Saudi Arabia on Twitter on Friday. He thanked Saudi energy minister and member of the royal family Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud. In addition to the LMO, Saudi Arabia has also indicated willingness to supply ISO containers to India for the next six months. 6. My deep appreciation to HRH Abdulaziz, HE Dr Sultan Jaber, HE Sherida al-Kaabi for their extended support & special gesture of solidarity with India through the offer of ISO Containers for the next 6 months.Assurance of steady commercial supply of LMO to India is also welcomed pic.twitter.com/PRZMNChT7f — Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) May 7, 2021 × India is still in the clutches of the pandemic. Government data available on Saturday (May 8) showed that a record 4187 fatalities had occurred in a single day. This took the total death toll to 238,270. 401,078 new infections were reported in a day, pushing the tally to 21,892,676. Hospitals in many parts of the country are still facing shortage of medical Oxygen. Although vaccination drive has started and every Indian above the age of 18 is eligible, many states have been forced to temporarily stop the vaccination drive due to vaccine shortage.

Saudi Arabia steps up, assures supply of medical Oxygen to India

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting immediate supply of additional medical oxygen, in line with what was agreed in government meetings held on May 1 and 2.

The letter mentions that Tamil Nadu is facing a looming oxygen crisis and that the requirement of medical oxygen is projected to go from the current 440MT to 840MT.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Referring to the National Oxygen Plan, Stalin says that only 220MT was allocated for Tamil Nadu, following which the officials had requested DPIIT&nbsp;(on May 1 and 2) for an immediate supply. It is added that despite DPITT having agreed to provide 476MT of medical oxygen, such an order has not been issued.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The letter,&nbsp;which was released to the media,&nbsp;also adds that revised allotment orders for nearly 220MTs of medical oxygen from sources in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Rourkela are awaited.&nbsp;

Besides mentioning the death of 13 patients at the&nbsp;Chengalpattu&nbsp;Government hospital near Chennai a few days back, Stalin also requested the Central Government to provide at least 20 ISO Cryogenic Containers and trains to transport oxygen to Tamil Nadu.&nbsp;&nbsp;

On Friday, Tamil Nadu witnessed 26,465 new COVID-19 cases, 22.381 recoveries, thus taking the active cases to 1,35,355. 197 deaths were recorded over the last 24 hours.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting immediate supply of additional medical oxygen, in line with what was agreed in government meetings held on May 1 and 2.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting immediate supply of additional medical oxygen, in line with what was agreed in government meetings held on May 1 and 2. The letter mentions that Tamil Nadu is facing a looming oxygen crisis and that the requirement of medical oxygen is projected to go from the current 440MT to 840MT. Referring to the National Oxygen Plan, Stalin says that only 220MT was allocated for Tamil Nadu, following which the officials had requested DPIIT (on May 1 and 2) for an immediate supply. It is added that despite DPITT having agreed to provide 476MT of medical oxygen, such an order has not been issued. The letter, which was released to the media, also adds that revised allotment orders for nearly 220MTs of medical oxygen from sources in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Rourkela are awaited. Besides mentioning the death of 13 patients at the Chengalpattu Government hospital near Chennai a few days back, Stalin also requested the Central Government to provide at least 20 ISO Cryogenic Containers and trains to transport oxygen to Tamil Nadu. On Friday, Tamil Nadu witnessed 26,465 new COVID-19 cases, 22.381 recoveries, thus taking the active cases to 1,35,355. 197 deaths were recorded over the last 24 hours.

Oxygen availability in Tamil Nadu critical, Stalin writes to PM Modi 

The Delhi High Court directed the Centre government to show cause why contempt not be initiated against it for failing to comply with order on supply of oxygen to the state for treating COVID-19 patients.

Delhi High Court asks Centre why it should not face contempt for failing to supply oxygen

Part two&nbsp;of the France solidarity mission to India of sending anti-Covid assistance will begin at the end of May. Under this, a&nbsp;second air shipment of medical equipment and oxygen generator plants will be sent to New Delhi.

France is also going to send liquid oxygen from French company Air Liquide's plants in the region to India via sea including with help of&nbsp;Indian armed forces.&nbsp;The first shipment of liquid O2 will arrive in the coming days.

Informed sources told WION that the Indian Airforce might also be involved in getting supplies from France.&nbsp;Indian Air force is already playing a key role and in the last few days airlifted 900 empty Oxygen cylinders from the UK, four&nbsp;cryogenic oxygen containers from Perth, Australia.

As a part of its&nbsp;solidarity mission, France had&nbsp;sent eight&nbsp;medical oxygen generators last week. Each generator can make an Indian hospital autonomous in oxygen supply for approximately 10 years. The country also sent specialised medical equipment&nbsp;including 28 ventilators as well as 200 electric syringe pumps.

France is supporting India&nbsp;under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (MPCU). Under the mechanism, more than 15&nbsp;members of the European Union are sending assistance to New Delhi.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the European Commission has announced that it will allocate an initial €2.2 million in emergency funding to respond to the ongoing Covid crisis in India.

"We are providing additional EU support towards the fight against COVID-19 in India. This comes on top of the generous and swift assistance from the EU Member States that stepped up as part of Team Europe to offer critical supplies of oxygen, ventilators, and medicines over the last few days", said European Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič.

EU member states that have already mobilised supplies of urgently needed oxygen, ventilators, and medicines are Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Spain and Sweden.

Part two of the France solidarity mission to India of sending anti-Covid assistance will begin at the end of May. Under this, a second air shipment of medical equipment and oxygen generator plants will be sent to New Delhi.

Part two of the France solidarity mission to India of sending anti-Covid assistance will begin at the end of May. Under this, a second air shipment of medical equipment and oxygen generator plants will be sent to New Delhi. France is also going to send liquid oxygen from French company Air Liquide's plants in the region to India via sea including with help of Indian armed forces. The first shipment of liquid O2 will arrive in the coming days. Informed sources told WION that the Indian Airforce might also be involved in getting supplies from France. Indian Air force is already playing a key role and in the last few days airlifted 900 empty Oxygen cylinders from the UK, four cryogenic oxygen containers from Perth, Australia. As a part of its solidarity mission, France had sent eight medical oxygen generators last week. Each generator can make an Indian hospital autonomous in oxygen supply for approximately 10 years. The country also sent specialised medical equipment including 28 ventilators as well as 200 electric syringe pumps. France is supporting India under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (MPCU). Under the mechanism, more than 15 members of the European Union are sending assistance to New Delhi. Meanwhile, the European Commission has announced that it will allocate an initial €2.2 million in emergency funding to respond to the ongoing Covid crisis in India. "We are providing additional EU support towards the fight against COVID-19 in India. This comes on top of the generous and swift assistance from the EU Member States that stepped up as part of Team Europe to offer critical supplies of oxygen, ventilators, and medicines over the last few days", said European Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič. EU member states that have already mobilised supplies of urgently needed oxygen, ventilators, and medicines are Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Spain and Sweden.

Covid crisis: France to begin phase two of solidarity mission; EU announces €2.2m support

The Supreme Court Wednesday stayed contempt proceedings initiated by the Delhi High Court against central government officials for non-compliance of the direction to supply 700 MT of medical grade oxygen for COVID-19 patients in the national capital.

The stay, however, will not restrain the high court from monitoring the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a> management-related issues, a bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and MR Shah said.

The top court, in an urgent hearing, directed that a meeting be held between officials of the Centre and Delhi government by this evening to discuss various aspects of augmenting the oxygen supply to the national capital.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/covid-19-crisis-over-180-cryogenic-oxygen-containers-transported-by-indian-air-force-382829">COVID-19 crisis: Over 180 cryogenic oxygen containers transported by Indian Air Force</a>

This is an all-India pandemic situation and we will have to find ways to ensure oxygen supply to the national capital as we are answerable to people of Delhi, it said.

"We are also in Delhi. We are helpless and have been on phone. We can imagine what citizens are going through," Justice Chandrachud said, adding that his office is hearing cries from people including lawyers seeking help.

The top court said it cannot review its order of April 30 and the Centre will have to inch towards the supply of 700 MT of oxygen daily for Delhi and asked the Union government to place before it a plan by Thursday morning as to how it will revamp the supply to 700MT.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-accounts-for-46-per-cent-of-worlds-new-covid-19-cases-quarter-of-deaths-who-382992">India accounts for 46 per cent of world's new COVID-19 cases, quarter of deaths: WHO</a>

It suggested that a committee of experts and doctors including those from the private sector may be constituted to ascertain the situation in Delhi and take into account the COVID-19 situation which had been prevailing in Mumbai.

The top court, in a nearly two-hour hearing, said that putting officers in jail is not going to bring oxygen to Delhi and questioned the Centre about the supply it has made to the national capital since May 3.

The bench said, "Let us ensure lives are saved" and by enhancing supply of around 150MT per day the quantity will come up to 700MT and number of lives will be saved.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/11-patients-die-at-government-hospital-in-chennai-probe-ordered-382886">11 patients die at government hospital in Chennai, probe ordered</a>

It was hearing the Centre's appeal against Delhi High Court's Tuesday order of issuing contempt notice and seeking personal appearance of its officials for non-compliance with the directions on supply of oxygen to treat COVID-19 patients.

The bench aid that it had ordered supply of 700 MT oxygen to Delhi daily from May 3 as the "pandemic in Delhi is at a very critical stage".

"Putting officers in jail is not going to bring oxygen to the city, let us ensure lives are saved," said the bench which also comprised justice MR Shah.

"This is not adversarial litigation. Centre, Delhi governments are elected and doing their best to serve COVID-19 patients,"&nbsp;Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said.

"Tell us how much oxygen you have allocated to Delhi in the last three days," the bench said.

The Supreme Court Wednesday stayed contempt proceedings initiated by the Delhi High Court against central government officials for non-compliance of the direction to supply 700 MT of medical grade oxygen for COVID-19 patients in the national capital.

The Supreme Court Wednesday stayed contempt proceedings initiated by the Delhi High Court against central government officials for non-compliance of the direction to supply 700 MT of medical grade oxygen for COVID-19 patients in the national capital. The stay, however, will not restrain the high court from monitoring the COVID-19 management-related issues, a bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and MR Shah said. The top court, in an urgent hearing, directed that a meeting be held between officials of the Centre and Delhi government by this evening to discuss various aspects of augmenting the oxygen supply to the national capital. Also read | COVID-19 crisis: Over 180 cryogenic oxygen containers transported by Indian Air Force This is an all-India pandemic situation and we will have to find ways to ensure oxygen supply to the national capital as we are answerable to people of Delhi, it said. "We are also in Delhi. We are helpless and have been on phone. We can imagine what citizens are going through," Justice Chandrachud said, adding that his office is hearing cries from people including lawyers seeking help. The top court said it cannot review its order of April 30 and the Centre will have to inch towards the supply of 700 MT of oxygen daily for Delhi and asked the Union government to place before it a plan by Thursday morning as to how it will revamp the supply to 700MT. Also read | India accounts for 46 per cent of world's new COVID-19 cases, quarter of deaths: WHO It suggested that a committee of experts and doctors including those from the private sector may be constituted to ascertain the situation in Delhi and take into account the COVID-19 situation which had been prevailing in Mumbai. The top court, in a nearly two-hour hearing, said that putting officers in jail is not going to bring oxygen to Delhi and questioned the Centre about the supply it has made to the national capital since May 3. The bench said, "Let us ensure lives are saved" and by enhancing supply of around 150MT per day the quantity will come up to 700MT and number of lives will be saved. Also read | 11 patients die at government hospital in Chennai, probe ordered It was hearing the Centre's appeal against Delhi High Court's Tuesday order of issuing contempt notice and seeking personal appearance of its officials for non-compliance with the directions on supply of oxygen to treat COVID-19 patients. The bench aid that it had ordered supply of 700 MT oxygen to Delhi daily from May 3 as the "pandemic in Delhi is at a very critical stage". "Putting officers in jail is not going to bring oxygen to the city, let us ensure lives are saved," said the bench which also comprised justice MR Shah. "This is not adversarial litigation. Centre, Delhi governments are elected and doing their best to serve COVID-19 patients," Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said. "Tell us how much oxygen you have allocated to Delhi in the last three days," the bench said.

SC stays Delhi HC order on contempt proceedings against Centre's officials over oxygen supply

As India fights a massive second wave of Covid pandemic with medical oxygen in short supply, an alumni group from Singapore's prominent universities has launched a crowdfunding initiative to source oxygen concentrators for India from overseas suppliers.

Each oxygen concentrator costs about $800 and can save more than 40 lives. The group has already achieved 78 per cent of its $150,000 goal&nbsp;till now.

The group behind the Singapore Universities Mission Oxygen (SUMO) drive includes former students of the National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), and Singapore Management University (SMU) as well as Anoj Viswanathan, the founder of Milaap, a crowdfunding <a href="www.milaap.org">website.</a>
<img alt="Members of the SUMO group" data-caption="Members of the SUMO group" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5b3b7f1f-d754-4f30-8992-7e0c38e1945d" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Members%20of%20the%20SUMO%20group.jpg" />
The oxygen concentrators bought through the initiative will be given to two organisations , CEL and Mission Mercy, which are working on the ground to help COVID-19 patients struggling to get access to medical oxygen.

The concentrators will be set up in the community health centres to provide care to patients locally by Community Empowerment Lab (CEL), the winners of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Award 2014.&nbsp; CEL is&nbsp;led by NTU alumna Aarti Kumar and John Hopkins University-educated doctor Vishwajeet.&nbsp;

Besides oxygen concentrators, the Mercy&nbsp;Mission will also be providing ambulance teams of paramedical staff and trained volunteers to help the patients while they are being transported to hospitals.

Since its establishment, Mercy Mission has been receiving an average of more than 2,000 calls on their helpline.

Being a crowdfunded mission, the group is welcoming donations from citizens wanting to in these challenging times. Donations for this initiative can be made <a href="https://milaap.org/fundraisers/SUMO?utm_source=shorturl">here.</a>

&nbsp;

As India fights a massive second wave of Covid pandemic with medical oxygen in short supply, an alumni group from Singapore's prominent universities has launched a crowdfunding initiative to source oxygen concentrators for India from overseas suppliers.

As India fights a massive second wave of Covid pandemic with medical oxygen in short supply, an alumni group from Singapore's prominent universities has launched a crowdfunding initiative to source oxygen concentrators for India from overseas suppliers. Each oxygen concentrator costs about $800 and can save more than 40 lives. The group has already achieved 78 per cent of its $150,000 goal till now. The group behind the Singapore Universities Mission Oxygen (SUMO) drive includes former students of the National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), and Singapore Management University (SMU) as well as Anoj Viswanathan, the founder of Milaap, a crowdfunding website. The oxygen concentrators bought through the initiative will be given to two organisations , CEL and Mission Mercy, which are working on the ground to help COVID-19 patients struggling to get access to medical oxygen. The concentrators will be set up in the community health centres to provide care to patients locally by Community Empowerment Lab (CEL), the winners of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Award 2014. CEL is led by NTU alumna Aarti Kumar and John Hopkins University-educated doctor Vishwajeet. Besides oxygen concentrators, the Mercy Mission will also be providing ambulance teams of paramedical staff and trained volunteers to help the patients while they are being transported to hospitals. Since its establishment, Mercy Mission has been receiving an average of more than 2,000 calls on their helpline. Being a crowdfunded mission, the group is welcoming donations from citizens wanting to in these challenging times. Donations for this initiative can be made here.

COVID-19: Alumni of Singapore universities launch crowdfunding drive for oxygen concentrators to India

A shipment carrying two oxygen generators, 548 oxygen concentrators, 365 ventilators and other medical equipment arrived here on Tuesday from Ireland to provide support in India`s fight against the second COVID-19 surge. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, it is the second shipment of medical aid from Ireland.

The ministry said it is grateful to Ireland, a European Union member, for the support which will help add to India`s oxygen capacities. "Further strengthening our cooperation. 2nd shipment from Ireland carrying 2 oxygen generators, 548 oxygen concentrators, 365 ventilators and other medical equipment arrives. Deeply grateful to our EU partner for the support which will help add to our oxygen capacities," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted.

A few days back, the first shipment from Ireland containing 700 units of oxygen concentrators and 365 ventilators arrived here. Reeling under the impact of the deadly COVID-19 wave, India reported 3,57,229 new COVID-19 cases, 3,20,289 discharges, and 3,449 deaths in the last 24 hours, as per Union Health Ministry`s data on Tuesday.

The total number of coronavirus cases in the country now stands at 2,02,82,833.The worsening COVID-19 situation in India has seen a surge in the demand for medical oxygen and beds for the COVID-19 patients.

Several countries around the world have come forward to help India as it continues to struggle with the increase in its health infrastructure needs caused by the rising coronavirus cases.The member states of the European Union are delivering medical aid following India`s request for support as the country has witnessed a record surge in COVID-19 cases in the second wave of the pandemic.

The aid is being provided through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, which is coordinated by the Emergency Response Coordination Centre of the European Commission.Several countries like Romania, Italy, Germany, France and Belgium have already sent in the supplies.

A shipment carrying two oxygen generators, 548 oxygen concentrators, 365 ventilators and other medical equipment arrived here on Tuesday from Ireland to provide support in India`s fight against the second COVID-19 surge.

A shipment carrying two oxygen generators, 548 oxygen concentrators, 365 ventilators and other medical equipment arrived here on Tuesday from Ireland to provide support in India`s fight against the second COVID-19 surge. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, it is the second shipment of medical aid from Ireland. The ministry said it is grateful to Ireland, a European Union member, for the support which will help add to India`s oxygen capacities. "Further strengthening our cooperation. 2nd shipment from Ireland carrying 2 oxygen generators, 548 oxygen concentrators, 365 ventilators and other medical equipment arrives. Deeply grateful to our EU partner for the support which will help add to our oxygen capacities," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted. A few days back, the first shipment from Ireland containing 700 units of oxygen concentrators and 365 ventilators arrived here. Reeling under the impact of the deadly COVID-19 wave, India reported 3,57,229 new COVID-19 cases, 3,20,289 discharges, and 3,449 deaths in the last 24 hours, as per Union Health Ministry`s data on Tuesday. The total number of coronavirus cases in the country now stands at 2,02,82,833.The worsening COVID-19 situation in India has seen a surge in the demand for medical oxygen and beds for the COVID-19 patients. Several countries around the world have come forward to help India as it continues to struggle with the increase in its health infrastructure needs caused by the rising coronavirus cases.The member states of the European Union are delivering medical aid following India`s request for support as the country has witnessed a record surge in COVID-19 cases in the second wave of the pandemic. The aid is being provided through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, which is coordinated by the Emergency Response Coordination Centre of the European Commission.Several countries like Romania, Italy, Germany, France and Belgium have already sent in the supplies.

India receives Covid aid including 548 oxygen concentrators, 365 ventilators from Ireland

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday reviewed the progress of conversion of existing nitrogen plants to produce oxygen - a feasibility explored by the Centre considering the requirement of medical oxygen amidst the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus?page=1">Covid-19</a> pandemic. 
 
The Centre has identified more than two dozen nitrogen generation plants for the production of medical oxygen.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/while-india-fights-oxygen-shortage-another-challenge-lurks-in-the-shadows-381228">While India fights oxygen shortage, another challenge lurks in the shadows</a> 
 
"In order to ramp up oxygen supplies, the government is working on converting nitrogen plants into oxygen plants. Potential industries where current nitrogen plants could be spared, are being identified and converted," the Prime Minister tweeted after the review meeting.

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In order to ramp up oxygen supplies, the Government is working on converting nitrogen plants into oxygen plants. Potential industries where current nitrogen plants could be spared, are being identified &amp; converted. <a href="https://t.co/Gl9E6a7sCl">https://t.co/Gl9E6a7sCl</a>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1388814026793123842?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 2, 2021</a></blockquote>
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The process of converting the existing Pressure Swing Absorption (PSA) nitrogen plants for production of oxygen was discussed in the meeting, said a statement issued by the Prime Minister`s Office.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/covid-19-india-records-highest-ever-401993-new-cases-3523-deaths-381832">COVID-19: India records highest-ever 4,01,993 new cases, 3,523 deaths</a>&nbsp; 
 
In the nitrogen plants Carbon Molecular Sieve (CMS) is used whereas Zeolite Molecular Sieve (ZMS) is required for producing oxygen. Therefore, by replacing CMS with ZMS and carrying out a few other changes such as oxygen analyzer, control panel system and flow valves, existing nitrogen plants can be modified to produce oxygen. 
 
"On deliberation with the industries, so far 14 industries have been identified where conversion of plants is under progress. Further 37 nitrogen plants have been also identified with the help of industry associations," said the statement.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/oxygen-aid-arrives-in-india-amid-record-break-covid-numbers-382312">Oxygen aid arrives in India amid record-break Covid numbers</a> 
 
A nitrogen plant modified for the production of oxygen can be either shifted to a nearby hospital or, in case it is not feasible to shift the plant, it can be used for on-site production of oxygen, which can be transported to hospital through specialized vessels or cylinders. 
 
Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, Cabinet Secretary, Home Secretary, Secretary Road Transport and Highways and other senior officials participated in the meeting. 
 
Oxygen produced in on-site plants has to be compressed and filled in cylinders or special vessels using a high-pressure compressor for transporting to hospitals. 
 
Facilitation is being provided to these industries for completion of work at the earliest. 
 
The Centre had earlier asked the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), which has a comprehensive database of industrial units, to identify the industries having spare nitrogen plants and explore the feasibility of converting existing nitrogen plants to produce oxygen. 
 
The CPCB with the help of the State Pollution Control Boards has identified such potential industries, wherein existing nitrogen generation plants may be spared for production of oxygen. 
 
In this regard, consultations have been held with potential industrial units and experts. 
 
The Centre`s step comes as India has been hit by a devastating wave of Covid infections -- the daily new cases crossed the four-lakh mark on Saturday and 3,92,488 new Covid-19 cases were reported on Sunday morning. The surge in cases has left hospitals overwhelmed, doctors traumatised, and resources like beds, medicines and oxygen in perilously short supply. 
 
The scale of the crisis has prompted the global community to step in with oxygen concentrators, tankers and other equipment being flown in by the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore, the European Union and other countries.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday reviewed the progress of conversion of existing nitrogen plants to produce oxygen - a feasibility explored by the Centre considering the requirement of medical oxygen amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday reviewed the progress of conversion of existing nitrogen plants to produce oxygen - a feasibility explored by the Centre considering the requirement of medical oxygen amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. The Centre has identified more than two dozen nitrogen generation plants for the production of medical oxygen. Also read | While India fights oxygen shortage, another challenge lurks in the shadows "In order to ramp up oxygen supplies, the government is working on converting nitrogen plants into oxygen plants. Potential industries where current nitrogen plants could be spared, are being identified and converted," the Prime Minister tweeted after the review meeting. In order to ramp up oxygen supplies, the Government is working on converting nitrogen plants into oxygen plants. Potential industries where current nitrogen plants could be spared, are being identified & converted. https://t.co/Gl9E6a7sCl — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 2, 2021 × The process of converting the existing Pressure Swing Absorption (PSA) nitrogen plants for production of oxygen was discussed in the meeting, said a statement issued by the Prime Minister`s Office. Also read | COVID-19: India records highest-ever 4,01,993 new cases, 3,523 deaths In the nitrogen plants Carbon Molecular Sieve (CMS) is used whereas Zeolite Molecular Sieve (ZMS) is required for producing oxygen. Therefore, by replacing CMS with ZMS and carrying out a few other changes such as oxygen analyzer, control panel system and flow valves, existing nitrogen plants can be modified to produce oxygen. "On deliberation with the industries, so far 14 industries have been identified where conversion of plants is under progress. Further 37 nitrogen plants have been also identified with the help of industry associations," said the statement. Also read | Oxygen aid arrives in India amid record-break Covid numbers A nitrogen plant modified for the production of oxygen can be either shifted to a nearby hospital or, in case it is not feasible to shift the plant, it can be used for on-site production of oxygen, which can be transported to hospital through specialized vessels or cylinders. Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, Cabinet Secretary, Home Secretary, Secretary Road Transport and Highways and other senior officials participated in the meeting. Oxygen produced in on-site plants has to be compressed and filled in cylinders or special vessels using a high-pressure compressor for transporting to hospitals. Facilitation is being provided to these industries for completion of work at the earliest. The Centre had earlier asked the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), which has a comprehensive database of industrial units, to identify the industries having spare nitrogen plants and explore the feasibility of converting existing nitrogen plants to produce oxygen. The CPCB with the help of the State Pollution Control Boards has identified such potential industries, wherein existing nitrogen generation plants may be spared for production of oxygen. In this regard, consultations have been held with potential industrial units and experts. The Centre`s step comes as India has been hit by a devastating wave of Covid infections -- the daily new cases crossed the four-lakh mark on Saturday and 3,92,488 new Covid-19 cases were reported on Sunday morning. The surge in cases has left hospitals overwhelmed, doctors traumatised, and resources like beds, medicines and oxygen in perilously short supply. The scale of the crisis has prompted the global community to step in with oxygen concentrators, tankers and other equipment being flown in by the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore, the European Union and other countries.

PM reviews progress of converting nitrogen plants to produce oxygen

More emergency aid including medical Oxygen arrived in India on Sunday. The daily Covid death toll Covid attained a new high. India is setting new highs almost daily. On Sunday, 3689 deaths were reported. This is the highest single-day rise yet in the pandemic. The overall death toll has gone above 215,000.

The latest figures came as medical equipment -- including oxygen-generation plants -- was flown into the capital New Delhi from France and Germany as part of a huge international effort.

"We are here because we are bringing help that... will save lives," Germany's ambassador to India, Walter J. Lindner, said as 120 ventilators arrived late Saturday.

"Out there the hospitals are full. People are sometimes dying in front of the hospitals. They have no more oxygen. Sometimes (they are dying) in their cars."

French ambassador Emmanuel Lenain said his country wanted to show solidarity with India.

"The world won't be safe until we are all safe. So it's a matter of urgency," he said early Sunday following the delivery of eight oxygen-generation plants and dozens of ventilators from France.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/domestic-travel-curbs-can-lead-to-more-covid-19-cases-study-382216">Domestic travel curbs can lead to more COVID-19 cases: Study</a>

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said late Sunday his government was investigating whether nitrogen plants could be used to produce oxygen instead.&nbsp;

More lockdowns

India's eastern state of Odisha on Sunday became the latest region to order a lockdown to slow the spread of the pathogen.

Capital New Delhi, the worst-hit city in the country extended its lockdown by another week.

Hospitals in the capital continued to issue SOS calls for oxygen on social media, with the latest appeal posted by a children's hospital on Twitter on Sunday.

The plea came a day after up to a dozen patients died at a Delhi hospital amid an oxygen shortage, local media reported.

There are growing fears about the pandemic ravaging smaller towns and rural regions where health infrastructure is already patchy and limited.

India on Saturday opened up its inoculation drive to all adults, but supplies are running low and only online enrolments are allowed for the under-45s.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/covid-19-pm-modi-reviews-oxygen-and-medicine-availability-382200">COVID-19: PM Modi reviews oxygen and medicine availability</a>

"It is a necessity now. We are seeing so many people testing positive," data scientist Megha Srivastava, 35, told AFP outside a Delhi vaccination centre.

The head of the world's largest vaccine maker, Serum Institute chief Adar Poonawalla, told The Times newspaper on Saturday during a business trip to Britain that he was being hounded by political and business leaders for more supplies.

"'Threats' is an understatement," he told the paper. "The level of expectation and aggression is really unprecedented. It's overwhelming. Everyone feels they should get the vaccine."

Experts have called on the government to allow more flexibility in India's vaccine rollout, particularly in poorer rural areas where there is lower internet penetration.

"We should procure sufficient vaccines, then plan bottom-up through... the primary health centre level," Bangalore-based public health expert Hemant Shewade told AFP.

(With inputs from agencies)

More emergency aid including medical Oxygen arrived in India on Sunday. The daily Covid death toll Covid attained a new high. India is setting new highs almost daily.

More emergency aid including medical Oxygen arrived in India on Sunday. The daily Covid death toll Covid attained a new high. India is setting new highs almost daily. On Sunday, 3689 deaths were reported. This is the highest single-day rise yet in the pandemic. The overall death toll has gone above 215,000. The latest figures came as medical equipment -- including oxygen-generation plants -- was flown into the capital New Delhi from France and Germany as part of a huge international effort. "We are here because we are bringing help that... will save lives," Germany's ambassador to India, Walter J. Lindner, said as 120 ventilators arrived late Saturday. "Out there the hospitals are full. People are sometimes dying in front of the hospitals. They have no more oxygen. Sometimes (they are dying) in their cars." French ambassador Emmanuel Lenain said his country wanted to show solidarity with India. "The world won't be safe until we are all safe. So it's a matter of urgency," he said early Sunday following the delivery of eight oxygen-generation plants and dozens of ventilators from France. Also Read | Domestic travel curbs can lead to more COVID-19 cases: Study Prime Minister Narendra Modi said late Sunday his government was investigating whether nitrogen plants could be used to produce oxygen instead. More lockdowns India's eastern state of Odisha on Sunday became the latest region to order a lockdown to slow the spread of the pathogen. Capital New Delhi, the worst-hit city in the country extended its lockdown by another week. Hospitals in the capital continued to issue SOS calls for oxygen on social media, with the latest appeal posted by a children's hospital on Twitter on Sunday. The plea came a day after up to a dozen patients died at a Delhi hospital amid an oxygen shortage, local media reported. There are growing fears about the pandemic ravaging smaller towns and rural regions where health infrastructure is already patchy and limited. India on Saturday opened up its inoculation drive to all adults, but supplies are running low and only online enrolments are allowed for the under-45s. Also Read | COVID-19: PM Modi reviews oxygen and medicine availability "It is a necessity now. We are seeing so many people testing positive," data scientist Megha Srivastava, 35, told AFP outside a Delhi vaccination centre. The head of the world's largest vaccine maker, Serum Institute chief Adar Poonawalla, told The Times newspaper on Saturday during a business trip to Britain that he was being hounded by political and business leaders for more supplies. "'Threats' is an understatement," he told the paper. "The level of expectation and aggression is really unprecedented. It's overwhelming. Everyone feels they should get the vaccine." Experts have called on the government to allow more flexibility in India's vaccine rollout, particularly in poorer rural areas where there is lower internet penetration. "We should procure sufficient vaccines, then plan bottom-up through... the primary health centre level," Bangalore-based public health expert Hemant Shewade told AFP. (With inputs from agencies)

Oxygen aid arrives in India amid record-break Covid numbers

The New Zealand High Commission in New Delhi issued an SOS call for the need for an oxygen cylinder in India’s capital, on Sunday.

"@sosiyc @srinivasiyc Could you please help with the oxygen cylinder urgently at the New Zealand High Commission? Thank you," the tweet read, which was later deleted.
<img alt="New Zealand High Commission" data-caption="The deleted tweet of&amp;nbsp;New Zealand High Commission" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="952422fe-58ec-43ba-9032-6ddd4ff71561" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/New%20Zealand%20High%20Commission.jpg" />
However, the High Commission quickly followed that deleted tweet with another tweet explaining the reason behind the same. "We are trying all sources to arrange for oxygen cylinders urgently and our appeal has unfortunately been misinterpreted, for which we are sorry,"&nbsp;the high commission clarified.

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We are trying all sources to arrange for oxygen cylinders urgently and our appeal has unfortunately been misinterpreted, for which we are sorry.
— NZ in India (@NZinIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/NZinIndia/status/1388714299774754817?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 2, 2021</a></blockquote>
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The IYC also claimed that the patient inside the high commission was "critically ill".

"Update- New Zealand high commission opened gates of the embassy and accepted cylinders," a follow-up tweet stated. "Also, they thanked the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SOSIYC?src=hashtag_click">#SOSIYC</a> team for this quick relief as patient inside embassy was critically ill."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-row-over-sos-from-new-zealand-embassy-382297">Watch |</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-row-over-sos-from-new-zealand-embassy-382297/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

This caused a row of accusations on Twitter, with many alleging the tweet was deleted under pressure — but no proof was given to back these allegations.

It also coincided with another spat over a case of the Philippines Embassy, prompting an exchange of tweets between senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. The Congress minister had accused the government of not helping the foreign embassies — a claim that was proved false by the EAM.

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MEA checked with the Philippines Embassy. This was an unsolicited supply as they had no Covid cases. Clearly for cheap publicity by you know who. Giving away cylinders like this when there are people in desperate need of oxygen is simply appalling. <a href="https://twitter.com/Jairam_Ramesh?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Jairam_Ramesh</a> <a href="https://t.co/G3jPE3c0nR">https://t.co/G3jPE3c0nR</a>
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) <a href="https://twitter.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1388700951012417537?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 2, 2021</a></blockquote>
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"MEA checked with the Philippines Embassy. This was an unsolicited supply as they had no Covid cases. Clearly for cheap publicity by you know who. Giving away cylinders like this when there are people in desperate need of oxygen is simply appalling," Jaishankar clarified in a tweet. "Jairamji, MEA never sleeps; our people know across the world. MEA also never fakes; we know who does."

The New Zealand High Commission in New Delhi issued an SOS call for the need for an oxygen cylinder in India’s capital, on Sunday. "@sosiyc @srinivasiyc Could you please help with the oxygen cylinder urgently at the New Zealand High Commission?

The New Zealand High Commission in New Delhi issued an SOS call for the need for an oxygen cylinder in India’s capital, on Sunday. "@sosiyc @srinivasiyc Could you please help with the oxygen cylinder urgently at the New Zealand High Commission? Thank you," the tweet read, which was later deleted. However, the High Commission quickly followed that deleted tweet with another tweet explaining the reason behind the same. "We are trying all sources to arrange for oxygen cylinders urgently and our appeal has unfortunately been misinterpreted, for which we are sorry," the high commission clarified. We are trying all sources to arrange for oxygen cylinders urgently and our appeal has unfortunately been misinterpreted, for which we are sorry. — NZ in India (@NZinIndia) May 2, 2021 × The IYC also claimed that the patient inside the high commission was "critically ill". "Update- New Zealand high commission opened gates of the embassy and accepted cylinders," a follow-up tweet stated. "Also, they thanked the #SOSIYC team for this quick relief as patient inside embassy was critically ill." Watch | This caused a row of accusations on Twitter, with many alleging the tweet was deleted under pressure — but no proof was given to back these allegations. It also coincided with another spat over a case of the Philippines Embassy, prompting an exchange of tweets between senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. The Congress minister had accused the government of not helping the foreign embassies — a claim that was proved false by the EAM. MEA checked with the Philippines Embassy. This was an unsolicited supply as they had no Covid cases. Clearly for cheap publicity by you know who. Giving away cylinders like this when there are people in desperate need of oxygen is simply appalling. @Jairam_Ramesh https://t.co/G3jPE3c0nR — Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) May 2, 2021 × "MEA checked with the Philippines Embassy. This was an unsolicited supply as they had no Covid cases. Clearly for cheap publicity by you know who. Giving away cylinders like this when there are people in desperate need of oxygen is simply appalling," Jaishankar clarified in a tweet. "Jairamji, MEA never sleeps; our people know across the world. MEA also never fakes; we know who does."

India: Row over New Zealand High Commission's request of oxygen cylinder

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday held a virtual meeting with experts to review oxygen and medicine availability. He also reviewed the human resource situation, in relation to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19 pandemic</a>, and ways to augment it.

According to government sources, the Prime Minister reviewed the matter of augmenting human resources for effective management of COVID-19 in the country today.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-receives-essential-medical-supplies-from-france-to-combat-covid-19-surge-382096">India receives essential medical supplies from France to combat COVID-19 surge</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/taiwans-first-batch-of-covid-19-aid-leaves-for-india-382139">Taiwan's first batch of COVID-19 aid leaves for India</a>

During the meeting, several steps to incentivize students and pass-outs of medical and nursing courses to join Covid duty were taken.

The decisions which were taken in the meeting may include delaying the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) examination and incentivizing MBBS pass-outs studying for it to join Covid duty. It might also include utilising services of final year MBBS and nursing students in Covid Duty.

Medical personnel doing Covid duty will be given preference in government recruitment as well as a financial incentive.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/taiwans-first-batch-of-covid-19-aid-leaves-for-india-382139">Taiwan's first batch of COVID-19 aid leaves for India</a>

India reported 3,92,488 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, down from yesterday`s high of over 4 lakh cases, taking the cumulative count of the cases to 1,95,57,457, the Union Health Ministry said today.&nbsp;

Currently, there are 33,49,644 active cases of COVID-19 in the country and the death toll has mounted to 2,15,542. The total doses of the COVID-19 vaccine administered stand at over 15,68,16,031, informed the health ministry.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday held a virtual meeting with experts to review oxygen and medicine availability. He also reviewed the human resource situation, in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, and ways to augment it.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday held a virtual meeting with experts to review oxygen and medicine availability. He also reviewed the human resource situation, in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, and ways to augment it. According to government sources, the Prime Minister reviewed the matter of augmenting human resources for effective management of COVID-19 in the country today. Also read | India receives essential medical supplies from France to combat COVID-19 surge Taiwan's first batch of COVID-19 aid leaves for India During the meeting, several steps to incentivize students and pass-outs of medical and nursing courses to join Covid duty were taken. The decisions which were taken in the meeting may include delaying the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) examination and incentivizing MBBS pass-outs studying for it to join Covid duty. It might also include utilising services of final year MBBS and nursing students in Covid Duty. Medical personnel doing Covid duty will be given preference in government recruitment as well as a financial incentive. Also read | Taiwan's first batch of COVID-19 aid leaves for India India reported 3,92,488 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, down from yesterday`s high of over 4 lakh cases, taking the cumulative count of the cases to 1,95,57,457, the Union Health Ministry said today. Currently, there are 33,49,644 active cases of COVID-19 in the country and the death toll has mounted to 2,15,542. The total doses of the COVID-19 vaccine administered stand at over 15,68,16,031, informed the health ministry.

COVID-19: PM Modi reviews oxygen and medicine availability

India is facing the brunt of&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;shortage with serpentine lines seen outside&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;manufacturing units as the second wave of COVID-19 has completely overwhelmed health infrastructure of the country.

The world's second-most populous nation is in deep crisis, with its hospitals and morgues overwhelmed as healthcare professionals struggle to cope with streams of patients.

Apart from the megacities, medical&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;and beds have become scarce in smaller cities, with major hospitals putting up notices saying they have no room for any more patients and asking relatives to arrange for medical&nbsp;oxygen.

Long queues were seen at&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;plants in several cities of India's most populous Uttar Pradesh state, including its capital Lucknow, with people from private hospitals, isolation centres, and even individuals visiting the plant with their empty cylinders in the hopes of getting some life-saving gas for patients.

Oxygen&nbsp;production and filling facilities in rural India are also overburdened with high-demand. They have shut regular industrial filling of&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;and are only focused on filling up cylinders for medical&nbsp;oxygen.

Why is&nbsp;medical&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;vital?&nbsp;

Oxygen&nbsp;therapy is crucial for severe Covid-19 patients with hypoxaemia when&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;levels in the blood are too low.<iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-will-india-run-out-of-doctors-to-treat-the-wuhan-virus-381229/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe>

According to&nbsp;community health specialist Rajib Dasgupta,&nbsp;"Some clinical studies&nbsp;show that up to a quarter of hospitalised (Covid-19) patients require&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;therapy and upwards to two-thirds of those in intensive care units."

"This is why it is imperative&nbsp;to fix&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;supply systems in hospital settings as this is a disease that affects lungs primarily."

India's toll from the coronavirus surged past 200,000 on Wednesday, the country's deadliest day, as shortages of&nbsp;oxygen, medical supplies and hospital staff compounded a record number of new infections.

What is an oximeter and oxygen concentrator?

Pulse oximetry is a non-invasive and painless test that measures your oxygen saturation level or the oxygen levels in your blood. It can rapidly detect even small changes in how efficiently oxygen is being carried to the extremities furthest from the heart, including the legs and the arms.

During a pulse oximetry reading, a small clamp-like device is placed on a finger, earlobe, or toe. Small beams of light pass through the blood in the finger, measuring the amount of oxygen. It does this by measuring changes in light absorption in oxygenated or deoxygenated blood. This is a painless process.

Meanwhile, in the case of oxygen&nbsp;concentrator, air&nbsp;is filled with various gases such as carbon dioxide, oxygen, hydrogen and nitrogen. So to separate oxygen from these gases Oxygen Concentrator comes into being, it is a medical device that supplies pure oxygen. As per the WHO report published in 2015, this device was developed to help patients admitted to hospital with respiratory illness. Oxygen Concentrator produces oxygen for 24 hours, seven days a week, for up to five years or more. Also, they can supply five to ten litres of oxygen per minute. Unlike the oxygen cylinder, this device doesn't need to get refiled, is portable and can run with the help of an inverter. However, they are quite expensive, compared to oxygen cylinders.

Does India produce enough&nbsp;oxygen?&nbsp;

Yes. Experts say the vast nation of 1.3 billion people is producing enough&nbsp;oxygen, just over 7,000 tonnes a day. Most is for industrial use but can be diverted for&nbsp;medical&nbsp;purposes.

The bottlenecks are in transport and storage.

Liquid&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;at very low temperatures has to be transported in cryogenic tankers to distributors, which then convert it into gas for filling cylinders.

But India is short of cryogenic tankers.

And such special tankers, when filled, have to be transported by road and not by air for safety reasons.

Most&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;producers are in India's east, while the soaring demand has been in cities including financial hub Mumbai in the west and the capital Delhi in the north.

According to&nbsp;the head of one of India's biggest&nbsp;medical&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;suppliers Inox Air Products, Siddharth Jain, "The supply chain has to be tweaked to move&nbsp;medical&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;from certain regions which have excess supply to regions which need more supply."

Meanwhile, many hospitals do not have on-site&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;plants, often because of poor infrastructure, a lack of expertise and high costs.

Late last year, India issued tenders for on-site&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;plants for hospitals. But the plans were never actioned, local media report.

Why the long waits for&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;in developing nations?&nbsp;

India is only the latest country to confront a lack of&nbsp;medical&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;supplies. Earlier in the pandemic there were similar scenes of long lines in countries such as Brazil, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Peru and Venezuela.&nbsp;

Unitaid, a global initiative that helps low- and middle-income countries confront public health challenges, puts the lack of supplies of&nbsp;medical&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;down to its cost, limited infrastructure and logistical difficulties.

Medical&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;is key to treating people in respiratory distress, whether at home or in hospitals. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one person in five suffering from Covid-19 needs&nbsp;medical&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;to ensure that the level of&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;in their blood is sufficient.

How much is needed in countries facing shortages?&nbsp;

In February, the WHO estimated that half a million people needed 1.2 million&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;canisters a day.

Unitaid put the price tag of helping the countries facing the greatest need at $1.6 billion this year. &nbsp;

"This is a global emergency that needs a truly global response," said Unitaid's Executive Director, Dr Philippe Duneton, in February.

It has identified some 20 countries facing the greatest difficulties with&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;supplies, including Malawi, Nigeria and Afghanistan.

How is&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;made?&nbsp;

Oxygen&nbsp;is made in two ways:

Medical&nbsp;oxygen: is made by separating the&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;from other gases and impurities found in air by repeated steps of compression, filtration and purification, according to Air Liquide Sante France.

Such&nbsp;medical&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;reaches more than 99.5 percent purity and is rigorously tested.

It can be highly compressed into a liquid form, but has to be maintained below -182°C, which according to Air Liquide Sante France is the best way to meet variations in demand as one litre of liquid&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;is the equivalent to around 800 litres when it is in normal gas form.

Canisters that can travel with patients with one litre of compressed litres of&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;contain about 200 litres of normal&nbsp;oxygen.

- Compressed&nbsp;oxygen: machines that can separate out nitrogen from ambient air can raise&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;levels to around 93 percent.&nbsp;The machines can be portable or larger to serve a hospital. However, these machines cannot meet surges in demand -- which rose by a factor of five or six in French hospitals as waves of Covid patients peaked. They are require lots of electricity and need to be regularly maintained by a technician.

Who are the main producers?&nbsp;

Outside of China, the three main producers of&nbsp;medical&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;are the German firm Linde, which is allied with Praxair in the US; the French firm Air Liquide and the US company Air Products.

But there are a large number of local and regional producers of&nbsp;medical&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;given that it is difficult to shop long distances.

Industrialised countries are better served as production facilities were designed to serve more than just the&nbsp;medical&nbsp;sector, such as the steel and chemicals industries.

What's being done for India?&nbsp;

The Indian military has used its cargo aircraft to transport&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;tanker trucks where supplies are lacking, and a train called the&nbsp;Oxygen&nbsp;Express was put into service on April 22.

The military has also said it plans to import 23 mobile production units from Germany.

France plans to send eight such units that will be able to produce enough&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;to serve 10,000 patients a day. It also plans to ship 200 tonnes of liquid&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;to Indian hospitals.

What's happening on the ground?&nbsp;

Oxygen&nbsp;shortages are still affecting badly hit regions despite the measures to boost supply, transport and storage.

Reports have emerged of hospitals asking patients to arrange for their own&nbsp;cylinders and of people dying even after being admitted due to low&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;supplies.

Social media platforms have been filled with posts by desperate families hunting for cylinders and refills.

Meanwhile, there is a growing black market for cylinders and concentrators sold far above their usual retail prices.

(With inputs from agencies)

India is facing the brunt of oxygen shortage with serpentine lines seen outside oxygen manufacturing units as the second wave of COVID-19 has completely overwhelmed health infrastructure of the country.

India is facing the brunt of oxygen shortage with serpentine lines seen outside oxygen manufacturing units as the second wave of COVID-19 has completely overwhelmed health infrastructure of the country. The world's second-most populous nation is in deep crisis, with its hospitals and morgues overwhelmed as healthcare professionals struggle to cope with streams of patients. Apart from the megacities, medical oxygen and beds have become scarce in smaller cities, with major hospitals putting up notices saying they have no room for any more patients and asking relatives to arrange for medical oxygen. Long queues were seen at oxygen plants in several cities of India's most populous Uttar Pradesh state, including its capital Lucknow, with people from private hospitals, isolation centres, and even individuals visiting the plant with their empty cylinders in the hopes of getting some life-saving gas for patients. Oxygen production and filling facilities in rural India are also overburdened with high-demand. They have shut regular industrial filling of oxygen and are only focused on filling up cylinders for medical oxygen. Why is medical oxygen vital? Oxygen therapy is crucial for severe Covid-19 patients with hypoxaemia when oxygen levels in the blood are too low. According to community health specialist Rajib Dasgupta, "Some clinical studies show that up to a quarter of hospitalised (Covid-19) patients require oxygen therapy and upwards to two-thirds of those in intensive care units." "This is why it is imperative to fix oxygen supply systems in hospital settings as this is a disease that affects lungs primarily." India's toll from the coronavirus surged past 200,000 on Wednesday, the country's deadliest day, as shortages of oxygen, medical supplies and hospital staff compounded a record number of new infections. What is an oximeter and oxygen concentrator? Pulse oximetry is a non-invasive and painless test that measures your oxygen saturation level or the oxygen levels in your blood. It can rapidly detect even small changes in how efficiently oxygen is being carried to the extremities furthest from the heart, including the legs and the arms. During a pulse oximetry reading, a small clamp-like device is placed on a finger, earlobe, or toe. Small beams of light pass through the blood in the finger, measuring the amount of oxygen. It does this by measuring changes in light absorption in oxygenated or deoxygenated blood. This is a painless process. Meanwhile, in the case of oxygen concentrator, air is filled with various gases such as carbon dioxide, oxygen, hydrogen and nitrogen. So to separate oxygen from these gases Oxygen Concentrator comes into being, it is a medical device that supplies pure oxygen. As per the WHO report published in 2015, this device was developed to help patients admitted to hospital with respiratory illness. Oxygen Concentrator produces oxygen for 24 hours, seven days a week, for up to five years or more. Also, they can supply five to ten litres of oxygen per minute. Unlike the oxygen cylinder, this device doesn't need to get refiled, is portable and can run with the help of an inverter. However, they are quite expensive, compared to oxygen cylinders. Does India produce enough oxygen? Yes. Experts say the vast nation of 1.3 billion people is producing enough oxygen, just over 7,000 tonnes a day. Most is for industrial use but can be diverted for medical purposes. The bottlenecks are in transport and storage. Liquid oxygen at very low temperatures has to be transported in cryogenic tankers to distributors, which then convert it into gas for filling cylinders. But India is short of cryogenic tankers. And such special tankers, when filled, have to be transported by road and not by air for safety reasons. Most oxygen producers are in India's east, while the soaring demand has been in cities including financial hub Mumbai in the west and the capital Delhi in the north. According to the head of one of India's biggest medical oxygen suppliers Inox Air Products, Siddharth Jain, "The supply chain has to be tweaked to move medical oxygen from certain regions which have excess supply to regions which need more supply." Meanwhile, many hospitals do not have on-site oxygen plants, often because of poor infrastructure, a lack of expertise and high costs. Late last year, India issued tenders for on-site oxygen plants for hospitals. But the plans were never actioned, local media report. Why the long waits for oxygen in developing nations? India is only the latest country to confront a lack of medical oxygen supplies. Earlier in the pandemic there were similar scenes of long lines in countries such as Brazil, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Peru and Venezuela. Unitaid, a global initiative that helps low- and middle-income countries confront public health challenges, puts the lack of supplies of medical oxygen down to its cost, limited infrastructure and logistical difficulties. Medical oxygen is key to treating people in respiratory distress, whether at home or in hospitals. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one person in five suffering from Covid-19 needs medical oxygen to ensure that the level of oxygen in their blood is sufficient. How much is needed in countries facing shortages? In February, the WHO estimated that half a million people needed 1.2 million oxygen canisters a day. Unitaid put the price tag of helping the countries facing the greatest need at $1.6 billion this year. "This is a global emergency that needs a truly global response," said Unitaid's Executive Director, Dr Philippe Duneton, in February. It has identified some 20 countries facing the greatest difficulties with oxygen supplies, including Malawi, Nigeria and Afghanistan. How is oxygen made? Oxygen is made in two ways: Medical oxygen: is made by separating the oxygen from other gases and impurities found in air by repeated steps of compression, filtration and purification, according to Air Liquide Sante France. Such medical oxygen reaches more than 99.5 percent purity and is rigorously tested. It can be highly compressed into a liquid form, but has to be maintained below -182°C, which according to Air Liquide Sante France is the best way to meet variations in demand as one litre of liquid oxygen is the equivalent to around 800 litres when it is in normal gas form. Canisters that can travel with patients with one litre of compressed litres of oxygen contain about 200 litres of normal oxygen. - Compressed oxygen: machines that can separate out nitrogen from ambient air can raise oxygen levels to around 93 percent. The machines can be portable or larger to serve a hospital. However, these machines cannot meet surges in demand -- which rose by a factor of five or six in French hospitals as waves of Covid patients peaked. They are require lots of electricity and need to be regularly maintained by a technician. Who are the main producers? Outside of China, the three main producers of medical oxygen are the German firm Linde, which is allied with Praxair in the US; the French firm Air Liquide and the US company Air Products. But there are a large number of local and regional producers of medical oxygen given that it is difficult to shop long distances. Industrialised countries are better served as production facilities were designed to serve more than just the medical sector, such as the steel and chemicals industries. What's being done for India? The Indian military has used its cargo aircraft to transport oxygen tanker trucks where supplies are lacking, and a train called the Oxygen Express was put into service on April 22. The military has also said it plans to import 23 mobile production units from Germany. France plans to send eight such units that will be able to produce enough oxygen to serve 10,000 patients a day. It also plans to ship 200 tonnes of liquid oxygen to Indian hospitals. What's happening on the ground? Oxygen shortages are still affecting badly hit regions despite the measures to boost supply, transport and storage. Reports have emerged of hospitals asking patients to arrange for their own cylinders and of people dying even after being admitted due to low oxygen supplies. Social media platforms have been filled with posts by desperate families hunting for cylinders and refills. Meanwhile, there is a growing black market for cylinders and concentrators sold far above their usual retail prices. (With inputs from agencies)

Medical oxygen: Why is it vital and does India produce enough?

Budget carrier SpiceJet's dedicated freighter arm SpiceXpress on Wednesday said it has airlifted 1,000 oxygen concentrators from Hong Kong to Delhi amid a nationwide shortage of medical oxygen in the country.&nbsp;

Ordered by SpiceHealth for emergency use and distribution across India, the oxygen concentrators will reach Delhi via Kolkata, SpiceJet said in a release.&nbsp;

An oxygen concentrator is a medical device that concentrates oxygen from ambient air.&nbsp;

This is the second big consignment of oxygen concentrators ordered and delivered to SpiceHealth with more than 2,000 such concentrators getting transported in the last two weeks, SpiceJet said.&nbsp;

The company is looking at bringing about 20,000 oxygen concentrators in the coming days from across the globe, SpiceJet Chairman and Managing Director, Ajay Singh said.&nbsp;

SpiceHealth has been working actively with state governments and hospitals across the country to address the issue of acute shortage of oxygen, the company said.&nbsp;

"Considering the current situation across the country, our focus is to airlift as many oxygen concentrators, BiPAPs, and other medical devices as possible to cater to the increasing demand. SpiceJet and SpiceHealth are collaborating actively to contribute in our country's dedicated efforts to fighting the COVID-19 pandemic," Singh said.&nbsp;

With a network spanning 63 domestic and 50 international destinations and a fleet of 19 cargo planes, SpiceXpress is capable of flying over 600 tonnes of cargo daily to domestic and international destinations. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Budget carrier SpiceJet's dedicated freighter arm SpiceXpress on Wednesday said it has airlifted 1,000 oxygen concentrators from Hong Kong to Delhi amid a nationwide shortage of medical oxygen in the country.

Budget carrier SpiceJet's dedicated freighter arm SpiceXpress on Wednesday said it has airlifted 1,000 oxygen concentrators from Hong Kong to Delhi amid a nationwide shortage of medical oxygen in the country. Ordered by SpiceHealth for emergency use and distribution across India, the oxygen concentrators will reach Delhi via Kolkata, SpiceJet said in a release. An oxygen concentrator is a medical device that concentrates oxygen from ambient air. This is the second big consignment of oxygen concentrators ordered and delivered to SpiceHealth with more than 2,000 such concentrators getting transported in the last two weeks, SpiceJet said. The company is looking at bringing about 20,000 oxygen concentrators in the coming days from across the globe, SpiceJet Chairman and Managing Director, Ajay Singh said. SpiceHealth has been working actively with state governments and hospitals across the country to address the issue of acute shortage of oxygen, the company said. "Considering the current situation across the country, our focus is to airlift as many oxygen concentrators, BiPAPs, and other medical devices as possible to cater to the increasing demand. SpiceJet and SpiceHealth are collaborating actively to contribute in our country's dedicated efforts to fighting the COVID-19 pandemic," Singh said. With a network spanning 63 domestic and 50 international destinations and a fleet of 19 cargo planes, SpiceXpress is capable of flying over 600 tonnes of cargo daily to domestic and international destinations. (With inputs from agencies)

COVID-19: 1,000 oxygen concentrators airlifted from Hong Kong to Delhi 

France plans to offer India "significant" extra oxygen capacity in the coming days to help the country cope with a record surge in COVID-19 infections, the French presidency said on Sunday.

The assistance is to include badly needed oxygen ventilators, a source told AFP without providing further details. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/covid-crisis-eu-uk-us-denmark-pitch-in-to-assist-india-380206">Covid Crisis: EU, UK, US, Denmark pitch in to assist India&nbsp;</a> 
 
France joins other countries such as Germany, Britain and the United States in coming to the aid of India, which with a new coronavirus variant spreading through its 1.3 billion people, has become the world's top coronavirus hotspot in recent days, reporting 3,49,691 new cases on Sunday alone.

The EU as a whole is also preparing rapid assistance for India, European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said earlier.

"Alarmed by the epidemiological situation in India. We are ready to support," von der Leyen said on Twitter.

"The EU is pooling resources to respond rapidly to India's request for assistance via the EU civil protection mechanism."

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Alarmed by the epidemiological situation in India. We are ready to support. 
 
The EU is pooling resources to respond rapidly to India’s request for assistance via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. 
 
We stand in full solidarity with the Indian people! <a href="https://t.co/Pv8ezFPdS3">https://t.co/Pv8ezFPdS3</a>
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) <a href="https://twitter.com/vonderleyen/status/1386292464277852162?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 25, 2021</a></blockquote>
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The mechanism allows European Union countries to coordinate their aid in cases of emergency.

India recorded 2,767 deaths from Covid-19 on Sunday -- the highest since the start of the pandemic. In Delhi, there have been reports of overwhelmed hospitals.

France plans to offer India "significant" extra oxygen capacity in the coming days to help the country cope with a record surge in COVID-19 infections, the French presidency said on Sunday.

France plans to offer India "significant" extra oxygen capacity in the coming days to help the country cope with a record surge in COVID-19 infections, the French presidency said on Sunday. The assistance is to include badly needed oxygen ventilators, a source told AFP without providing further details. Covid Crisis: EU, UK, US, Denmark pitch in to assist India France joins other countries such as Germany, Britain and the United States in coming to the aid of India, which with a new coronavirus variant spreading through its 1.3 billion people, has become the world's top coronavirus hotspot in recent days, reporting 3,49,691 new cases on Sunday alone. The EU as a whole is also preparing rapid assistance for India, European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said earlier. "Alarmed by the epidemiological situation in India. We are ready to support," von der Leyen said on Twitter. "The EU is pooling resources to respond rapidly to India's request for assistance via the EU civil protection mechanism." Alarmed by the epidemiological situation in India. We are ready to support. The EU is pooling resources to respond rapidly to India’s request for assistance via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. We stand in full solidarity with the Indian people! https://t.co/Pv8ezFPdS3 — Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) April 25, 2021 × The mechanism allows European Union countries to coordinate their aid in cases of emergency. India recorded 2,767 deaths from Covid-19 on Sunday -- the highest since the start of the pandemic. In Delhi, there have been reports of overwhelmed hospitals.

COVID-19: France to provide 'significant' oxygen support to India

As India battles a severe second wave of coronavirus pandemic, the UK on Sunday announced sending life-saving medical equipment including ventilators and oxygen concentrator devices to the country.&nbsp;

The UK High Commission here said more than 600 pieces of vital medical equipment will be sent to India to support the country in its fight against COVID-19.&nbsp;

It said ventilators and oxygen concentrator devices are due to leave the UK on Sunday and the first shipment is expected to arrive in Delhi early on Tuesday with further consignments reaching later this week.&nbsp;

"We stand side by side with India as a friend and partner during what is a deeply concerning time in the fight against COVID-19," British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said.&nbsp;

"Vital medical equipment, including hundreds of oxygen concentrators and ventilators, is now on its way from the UK to India to support efforts to prevent the tragic loss of life from this terrible virus," he is quoted as saying by the high commission.&nbsp;

It said the assistance package, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, includes ventilators and oxygen concentrators from surplus stocks.&nbsp;

"It will be used by the government of India to provide vital medical treatment to those suffering from COVID-19 in India," it said.&nbsp;

The high commission said the support follows a request from India and Prime Minister Johnson's pledge for the UK to do all it can to help the country.&nbsp;

"In total, nine airline container loads of supplies, including 495 oxygen concentrators, 120 non-invasive ventilators and 20 manual ventilators, will be sent to the country this week," the high commission said.&nbsp;

It said the equipment will be crucial in helping to save the lives of the most vulnerable in India.&nbsp;

"The oxygen concentrators, for example, can extract oxygen from the air in the atmosphere so that it can be provided to patients, taking the strain off hospital oxygen systems and allowing oxygen to be provided in situations where hospital oxygen supplies have run out," it said. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

As India battles a severe second wave of coronavirus pandemic, the UK on Sunday announced sending life-saving medical equipment including ventilators and oxygen concentrator devices to the country.

As India battles a severe second wave of coronavirus pandemic, the UK on Sunday announced sending life-saving medical equipment including ventilators and oxygen concentrator devices to the country. The UK High Commission here said more than 600 pieces of vital medical equipment will be sent to India to support the country in its fight against COVID-19. It said ventilators and oxygen concentrator devices are due to leave the UK on Sunday and the first shipment is expected to arrive in Delhi early on Tuesday with further consignments reaching later this week. "We stand side by side with India as a friend and partner during what is a deeply concerning time in the fight against COVID-19," British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said. "Vital medical equipment, including hundreds of oxygen concentrators and ventilators, is now on its way from the UK to India to support efforts to prevent the tragic loss of life from this terrible virus," he is quoted as saying by the high commission. It said the assistance package, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, includes ventilators and oxygen concentrators from surplus stocks. "It will be used by the government of India to provide vital medical treatment to those suffering from COVID-19 in India," it said. The high commission said the support follows a request from India and Prime Minister Johnson's pledge for the UK to do all it can to help the country. "In total, nine airline container loads of supplies, including 495 oxygen concentrators, 120 non-invasive ventilators and 20 manual ventilators, will be sent to the country this week," the high commission said. It said the equipment will be crucial in helping to save the lives of the most vulnerable in India. "The oxygen concentrators, for example, can extract oxygen from the air in the atmosphere so that it can be provided to patients, taking the strain off hospital oxygen systems and allowing oxygen to be provided in situations where hospital oxygen supplies have run out," it said. (With inputs from agencies)

UK sending medical devices like ventilators, oxygen concentrators to India 

With the unprecedented rise in the coronavirus cases, the demand of medical oxygen has shot up in India.

But what exactly is the medical oxygen? Read on to know more.&nbsp;

The air we breathe is a mix of several gases, such as oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide and hydrogen. The term ‘medical oxygen’ means high-purity oxygen, which is used for medical treatments and developed for use in the human body.

The medical oxygen cylinders actually contain highly pure oxygen gas.

To get medical oxygen, a person requires a prescription. To prevent contamination, no other types of gases are allowed in the cylinder.&nbsp;

How different is it from industrial oxygen?&nbsp;

Oxygen is also used in industries for combustion, oxidation, cutting and chemical reactions.

The difference is that purity levels of industrial oxygen are not appropriate for human use. There can be impurities, which can make people ill.&nbsp;

Medical oxygen cylinders should also be free of contaminants.

The cylinders need to be thoroughly cleaned before use.&nbsp;

Uses&nbsp;

Medical oxygen is generally administered in medical facilities, such as hospitals and clinics.

It is used as first aid resuscitation for emergencies, during anesthesia, life support for patients, who can’t breathe on their own, and oxygen therapy.

Athletes also use medical oxygen at high altitudes or training.&nbsp;

With the unprecedented rise in the coronavirus cases, the demand of medical oxygen has shot up in India. But what exactly is the medical oxygen? Read on to know more.

With the unprecedented rise in the coronavirus cases, the demand of medical oxygen has shot up in India. But what exactly is the medical oxygen? Read on to know more. The air we breathe is a mix of several gases, such as oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide and hydrogen. The term ‘medical oxygen’ means high-purity oxygen, which is used for medical treatments and developed for use in the human body. The medical oxygen cylinders actually contain highly pure oxygen gas. To get medical oxygen, a person requires a prescription. To prevent contamination, no other types of gases are allowed in the cylinder. How different is it from industrial oxygen? Oxygen is also used in industries for combustion, oxidation, cutting and chemical reactions. The difference is that purity levels of industrial oxygen are not appropriate for human use. There can be impurities, which can make people ill. Medical oxygen cylinders should also be free of contaminants. The cylinders need to be thoroughly cleaned before use. Uses Medical oxygen is generally administered in medical facilities, such as hospitals and clinics. It is used as first aid resuscitation for emergencies, during anesthesia, life support for patients, who can’t breathe on their own, and oxygen therapy. Athletes also use medical oxygen at high altitudes or training.

COVID-19: What is medical oxygen?   

The Indian High Commission on Saturday issued an open appeal through social media for help to meet the rising demand for oxygen and medical supplies in India's devastating second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.&nbsp;

It listed the required items as refillable oxygen cylinders, concentrators and the drug Remdesivir, used to treat severe COVID-19 cases. India has recorded nearly a million infections in three days, with 346,786 new cases on Saturday.&nbsp;

"@HCILondon thanks all who have come forward to help in COVID19 situation. India needs: (i) Empty, refillable Oxygen cylinders with 10 litres and 45 litres LMO (liquid medical oxygen) capacity (ii) Oxygen concentrators (iii) in situ Oxygen manufacturing plants for hospitals &amp; (iv) Remdesivir," reads the appeal on Twitter.&nbsp;

It comes as several diaspora organisations have also been coordinating efforts to provide assistance and support, amid news of oxygen supply shortages at hospitals in New Delhi and other regions.&nbsp;

"The Indian diaspora has huge confidence in Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi and stand ready to help the government of India in any form they need," said Kuldeep Shekhawat, President of the Overseas Friends of BJP (OFBJP) diaspora group, which held a virtual meeting to consider a donation drive for the Prime Minister's Relief Fund if required.&nbsp;

On Friday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the UK is looking at ways to help and support India through the crisis.&nbsp;

"We're looking at what we can do to help and support the people of India, possibly with ventilators," he told reporters when asked about the pandemic crisis in India on the local election campaign trail.&nbsp;

"Thanks to the ventilator challenge, the huge efforts of British manufacturers, we're better able now to deliver ventilators to other countries. But also possibly with therapeutics, dexamethasone, other things, we'll look at what we can do to help," he said.&nbsp;

The Indian High Commission on Saturday issued an open appeal through social media for help to meet the rising demand for oxygen and medical supplies in India's devastating second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Indian High Commission on Saturday issued an open appeal through social media for help to meet the rising demand for oxygen and medical supplies in India's devastating second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. It listed the required items as refillable oxygen cylinders, concentrators and the drug Remdesivir, used to treat severe COVID-19 cases. India has recorded nearly a million infections in three days, with 346,786 new cases on Saturday. "@HCILondon thanks all who have come forward to help in COVID19 situation. India needs: (i) Empty, refillable Oxygen cylinders with 10 litres and 45 litres LMO (liquid medical oxygen) capacity (ii) Oxygen concentrators (iii) in situ Oxygen manufacturing plants for hospitals & (iv) Remdesivir," reads the appeal on Twitter. It comes as several diaspora organisations have also been coordinating efforts to provide assistance and support, amid news of oxygen supply shortages at hospitals in New Delhi and other regions. "The Indian diaspora has huge confidence in Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi and stand ready to help the government of India in any form they need," said Kuldeep Shekhawat, President of the Overseas Friends of BJP (OFBJP) diaspora group, which held a virtual meeting to consider a donation drive for the Prime Minister's Relief Fund if required. On Friday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the UK is looking at ways to help and support India through the crisis. "We're looking at what we can do to help and support the people of India, possibly with ventilators," he told reporters when asked about the pandemic crisis in India on the local election campaign trail. "Thanks to the ventilator challenge, the huge efforts of British manufacturers, we're better able now to deliver ventilators to other countries. But also possibly with therapeutics, dexamethasone, other things, we'll look at what we can do to help," he said.

Indian High Commission in UK appeals for oxygen, medical supplies  

Air India will bring around 600 oxygen concentrators on its two US-India flights in the next two days, aviation industry sources said on Sunday.&nbsp;

These oxygen concentrators have been ordered by private entities, the sources mentioned.&nbsp;

Various hospitals across the country continue to grapple with a severe shortage of medical oxygen on Sunday even after receiving emergency supplies.&nbsp;

Twenty people died at Delhi's Jaipur Golden Hospital on Saturday, amid a shortage of oxygen.&nbsp;

Sources said Air India plans to bring around 10,000 oxygen concentrators for private entities in the coming weeks.&nbsp;

When asked about this matter, Air India spokesperson said the airline is prepared to shoulder the responsibility of carrying oxygen concentrators or any consignment into India.&nbsp;

"Obviously, Air India with its experience of international operations and wide-body fleet is fully capable of carrying a large volume of cargo consignments," the spokesperson mentioned.&nbsp;

"It goes without saying that we will continue to play a major role in transporting oxygen (equipment) and serve our nation in whatever role assigned to us," the spokesperson said.&nbsp;

A record single-day rise of 3,46,786 coronavirus cases pushed India's tally of infection to 1,66,10,481, while active cases crossed the 25-lakh mark, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Saturday.&nbsp;

The death toll rose to 1,89,544 with a record 2,624 more fatalities in a day, the data updated at 8 am showed. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Air India will bring around 600 oxygen concentrators on its two US-India flights in the next two days, aviation industry sources said on Sunday. These oxygen concentrators have been ordered by private entities, the sources mentioned.

Air India will bring around 600 oxygen concentrators on its two US-India flights in the next two days, aviation industry sources said on Sunday. These oxygen concentrators have been ordered by private entities, the sources mentioned. Various hospitals across the country continue to grapple with a severe shortage of medical oxygen on Sunday even after receiving emergency supplies. Twenty people died at Delhi's Jaipur Golden Hospital on Saturday, amid a shortage of oxygen. Sources said Air India plans to bring around 10,000 oxygen concentrators for private entities in the coming weeks. When asked about this matter, Air India spokesperson said the airline is prepared to shoulder the responsibility of carrying oxygen concentrators or any consignment into India. "Obviously, Air India with its experience of international operations and wide-body fleet is fully capable of carrying a large volume of cargo consignments," the spokesperson mentioned. "It goes without saying that we will continue to play a major role in transporting oxygen (equipment) and serve our nation in whatever role assigned to us," the spokesperson said. A record single-day rise of 3,46,786 coronavirus cases pushed India's tally of infection to 1,66,10,481, while active cases crossed the 25-lakh mark, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Saturday. The death toll rose to 1,89,544 with a record 2,624 more fatalities in a day, the data updated at 8 am showed.

Air India to bring 600 oxygen concentrators from US in next two days for private entities 

The Centre on Sunday barred the use of liquid oxygen for any non-medical purpose and asked manufacturing units to maximise its production and make it available to the government for medical use.&nbsp;

The order by Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla came amid a scarcity of medical oxygen in many parts of the country, particularly in Delhi, that have been hit by a fresh wave of the coronavirus pandemic.&nbsp;

After reviewing the oxygen supply situation, the government decided that no exception will be allowed to any industry on the use of liquid oxygen, modifying its earlier order that exempted a few select industries.&nbsp;

Exercising the powers conferred under the Disaster Management Act, the union home secretary directed the state and union territory governments to ensure that "use of liquid oxygen is not allowed for any non-medical purpose and all manufacturing units may maximise their production of liquid oxygen, and make it available to the government for use for medical purposes only, with immediate effect and until further orders."&nbsp;

Further, Bhalla directed that all stocks of liquid oxygen should also be made available to the government for use for medical purposes and no exception is allowed to any industry with regard to use of liquid oxygen.&nbsp;

The home secretary referred to various measures taken so far to ensure uninterrupted supply of medical oxygen across the country.&nbsp;

He said it was considered necessary to restrict industrial usage of oxygen for ensuring availability of adequate and uninterrupted supply of medical oxygen across the country for management of COVID-19 patients and necessary order in this regard was issued on April 22 to restrict the use of industrial oxygen.&nbsp;

The central government has reviewed the oxygen supply situation and has decided that with immediate effect, use of liquid oxygen, including the existing stock, will be allowed for medical purposes only, and that all manufacturing units may be allowed to maximise their production of liquid oxygen, and make it available to the government, for use for medical purposes only, the order said.&nbsp;

The Centre on Sunday barred the use of liquid oxygen for any non-medical purpose and asked manufacturing units to maximise its production and make it available to the government for medical use.

The Centre on Sunday barred the use of liquid oxygen for any non-medical purpose and asked manufacturing units to maximise its production and make it available to the government for medical use. The order by Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla came amid a scarcity of medical oxygen in many parts of the country, particularly in Delhi, that have been hit by a fresh wave of the coronavirus pandemic. After reviewing the oxygen supply situation, the government decided that no exception will be allowed to any industry on the use of liquid oxygen, modifying its earlier order that exempted a few select industries. Exercising the powers conferred under the Disaster Management Act, the union home secretary directed the state and union territory governments to ensure that "use of liquid oxygen is not allowed for any non-medical purpose and all manufacturing units may maximise their production of liquid oxygen, and make it available to the government for use for medical purposes only, with immediate effect and until further orders." Further, Bhalla directed that all stocks of liquid oxygen should also be made available to the government for use for medical purposes and no exception is allowed to any industry with regard to use of liquid oxygen. The home secretary referred to various measures taken so far to ensure uninterrupted supply of medical oxygen across the country. He said it was considered necessary to restrict industrial usage of oxygen for ensuring availability of adequate and uninterrupted supply of medical oxygen across the country for management of COVID-19 patients and necessary order in this regard was issued on April 22 to restrict the use of industrial oxygen. The central government has reviewed the oxygen supply situation and has decided that with immediate effect, use of liquid oxygen, including the existing stock, will be allowed for medical purposes only, and that all manufacturing units may be allowed to maximise their production of liquid oxygen, and make it available to the government, for use for medical purposes only, the order said.

Indian Govt bars use of liquid oxygen for non-medical purposes, asks plants to maximise production 

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