Guwahati: Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma Monday claimed that the state has a sufficient supply of medical oxygen and it won’t face any problem with ICU beds.
Addressing media here, Sarma said that curently, the state has been consuming 20 Metric Tonne (MT) of oxygen. However, the total capacity is almost 61 MT with a surplus of 40 MT.
He informed that a low capacity plant will be set up with 2.9 MT. The cumulative total is 61 MT and in contrast to that, consumption is 20 MT.
The Assam government has planning to revamp another plant in Digboi. It is expected to be completed by May.
“In the coming days, there should be no scarcity in oxygen. If all the constructions are made on time, we can achieve self-sufficiency,” Sarma added.
Amid the second wave, 150 additional ICU beds have been added in Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Mahendra Mohan Choudhury Hospital (MMCH), and Kalapahar Covid Care Hospital in Guwahati.
“For the next seven days, we won’t face any problem with hospital beds and ICU beds,” said Sarma.
“We have around 2120 normal beds in all hospitals including the ones in the upcoming Sarusaijai stadium,” he added. The state government had decided to convert the Sarusajai stadium into a make-shift hospital to treat patients suffering from the contagious infection.
At present, 1852 beds are occupied and around 300 beds are vacant, Sarma informed.
“There shouldn’t be any problem for ICU in the coming days, however, if required 260 more ICU beds will be added which can be later used for emergencies,” the health minister said.
Sarma said that Remdesivir injections are also available in the state.
The Health Minister informed that Assam has around 25,000 remdesivir injections. Nursing homes are suggested to approach Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) for the same. Patients in need of the injections should be present and must pay the standard amount charged by GMCH.
Nursing homes have been suggested to take the Remdesivir injection at the government procurement price.
“We are okay till April 30, I suggest the people of Assam, do not panic,” Mr Sarma said.
The state’s caseload of active cases at the moment has breached the 15,000-mark while 67 people have succumbed to the virus so far in this month.
