GUWAHATI: Assam health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday said there is adequate supply and generation of medical oxygen, Remdesivir injections and Covid vaccines in the state and significant number of hospital beds, including ICU beds, in the state at present.
Saying that plans are afoot for setting up at least 10 to 15 mini oxygen production plants, Sarma added, “Our daily requirement of oxygen is 28 to 30 metric tonne at present against generation of 50 MT daily. There is no scarcity at present. I think at least till May 10 we would be able to pull through and after that, depending on the situation, we have to think further.”
He said Assam has already installed eight oxygen plants, producing 5.25 MT per day after the first wave of Covid with funds from PM Care.
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Sarma took a jibe at Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal for blaming Modi for the oxygen scarcity. In a tweet, he said, “Dear Sri @ArvindKejriwal – Assam has installed 8 Oxygen plants (5.25 MT /day) after #Covid crisis hit us; 5 in process. PM Sri @narendramodi gave Delhi funds for 8 plants through #PMCARES in Dec 2020. Why blame Modi, when your govt has failed and could install just one out of 8!”
In a post in Facebook, Sarma added, “It is rather sad, and also intriguing that a false narrative is being pedaled over supply of oxygen/Remdesivir to states. Hon PM Sri @narendramodi has always put India First as his motto and this is reflected in all of GOI’s policies & programs.”
“At least till May 2 there will be dearth of vaccines. We are targeting to vaccinate 60,000 to 70,000 people daily. We have received fresh batch of two lakh more doses of Covishield vaccine from the government of India, which shall help us further to step up our vaccination program in Assam. Another consignment of three lakh vaccines are arriving soon,” he said.
He added that the current stock of Remdesivir injection in the state is about 13,000, which should be enough for a week.
“We also have adequate number of beds to see us through for one week. We have not refused any patient admission in our hospitals and Covid care centres so far,” he said.
In a tweet, he informed, “My PWD team is working closely with faculty of Silchar Medical College & Hospital to expedite setting up of a 60-bed ICU for emergency support & #Covid management. I am sure this shall get functional by May 2, 2021.”
