Beyond the tragedies already being reported from Delhi of hospitals running out of oxygen and patients dying, looms a much bigger oxygen crisis in India.
My colleagues @psychia90 and @VijaytaL have been reporting on it.
#Thread
My colleagues @psychia90 and @VijaytaL have been reporting on it.
#Thread
India produces 7,200 metric tonnes of oxygen daily.
On April 12, the health ministry said the country was consuming 54% of its daily oxygen production – 3,842 metric tonnes – for medical purposes.
India had 12,64,000 active cases at the time.
On April 12, the health ministry said the country was consuming 54% of its daily oxygen production – 3,842 metric tonnes – for medical purposes.
India had 12,64,000 active cases at the time.
A week later, Covid cases had gone up to 21,57,000 – a 70% jump.
Naturally medical oxygen needs rose too.
A central government official admitted in Delhi HC on April 21 that the country now needed 8,000 metric tonnes of medical oxygen per day.
Naturally medical oxygen needs rose too.
A central government official admitted in Delhi HC on April 21 that the country now needed 8,000 metric tonnes of medical oxygen per day.
India's *total* oxygen production is 7,200 MT – this includes oxygen used for industrial purposes as well.
On April 18, the government barred industrial use of oxygen barring for nine industries, which consume 2,500 MT, according to an official who monitors oxygen use.
On April 18, the government barred industrial use of oxygen barring for nine industries, which consume 2,500 MT, according to an official who monitors oxygen use.
This leaves a huge shortfall of medical oxygen in India.
But the government claimed on April 22 that industries had stepped up and were contributing 3,300 MT of medical oxygen, and with this, 6,822 MT had been allocated to 20 states.
But the government claimed on April 22 that industries had stepped up and were contributing 3,300 MT of medical oxygen, and with this, 6,822 MT had been allocated to 20 states.
But even if all of India’s daily production is used for medical purposes, the country still has a daily shortfall of 800 MT.
This means India is now dipping into its oxygen reserves – 50,000 MT as per the government.
This means India is now dipping into its oxygen reserves – 50,000 MT as per the government.
How long would 50,000 MT of oxygen reserves in India last?
At current demand, between 2-8 weeks, our calculations show, based on available data and assumptions spelt out in this piece: scroll.in/article/992928…
At current demand, between 2-8 weeks, our calculations show, based on available data and assumptions spelt out in this piece: scroll.in/article/992928…
But the crisis isn’t limited to production falling short of demand.
There is a huge challenge of distribution.
Oxygen production capacity is unevenly distributed in the country. @psychia90 reviewed statewise capacity as a central government document:
scroll.in/article/992928…
There is a huge challenge of distribution.
Oxygen production capacity is unevenly distributed in the country. @psychia90 reviewed statewise capacity as a central government document:
scroll.in/article/992928…
That explains why the crisis appears to be the gravest in Delhi, where for four days now, hospitals have been running short on oxygen.
The national capital has no oxygen production capacity of its own.
It has the biggest shortfall, as Indian Express reported
The national capital has no oxygen production capacity of its own.
It has the biggest shortfall, as Indian Express reported
To transport oxygen, India needs cryogenic tankers.
To store oxygen, it needs cryogenic cylinders.
Both are running scarce, neither can be manufactured overnight, as company executives and state officials told @psychia90
scroll.in/article/992928…
To store oxygen, it needs cryogenic cylinders.
Both are running scarce, neither can be manufactured overnight, as company executives and state officials told @psychia90
scroll.in/article/992928…
One solution that could've reduced the need for cross-country logistics was building PSA oxygen generator plants in hospitals
Low cost, installed in 4-6 weeks at Rs 1.5 crore cost
One plant can cater to 60-100 patients on oxygen
Low cost, installed in 4-6 weeks at Rs 1.5 crore cost
One plant can cater to 60-100 patients on oxygen
India could have built PSA oxygen plants on a war footing.
But as @VijaytaL and @psychia90 reported, the central government took eight months to float a tender. Six months later, only 33 of 162 plants have been installed.
scroll.in/article/992537…
But as @VijaytaL and @psychia90 reported, the central government took eight months to float a tender. Six months later, only 33 of 162 plants have been installed.
scroll.in/article/992537…
Even states could have installed PSA oxygen plants.
In the midst of the second wave, Madhya Pradesh made an emergency purchase order for 13 PSA oxygen plants.
Why didn’t states do this earlier?
Read @VijaytaL's report
scroll.in/article/993013…
In the midst of the second wave, Madhya Pradesh made an emergency purchase order for 13 PSA oxygen plants.
Why didn’t states do this earlier?
Read @VijaytaL's report
scroll.in/article/993013…
The scale of India’s second wave is gigantic.
Even with the best of preparations the country would have been overwhelmed.
But the country did not prepare. Our oxygen crisis makes that amply clear.
END
Even with the best of preparations the country would have been overwhelmed.
But the country did not prepare. Our oxygen crisis makes that amply clear.
END
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