New Delhi: The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has written to the health ministry to take necessary action regarding the labelling of oxygen cylinders to differentiate between industrial and medical oxygen after lawmaker Ajeet Madhavrao Gopchade raised the need to do so in the interest of patients.
“I brought this to the notice of the PMO. As a doctor, I understand it is a critical issue and needs attention. To protect patients, even the World Health Organization has released guidelines on the quality of medical oxygen,” Gopchade told ET.
“Throughout the Covid pandemic, it was noted that a significant number of patients who needed external oxygen support acquired a fungal infection. Unfortunately, many individuals lost their eyesight as a result. There seems to be a lack of focus from the state and central government on guaranteeing the quality of medical oxygen. There is a shortage of clear labelling on oxygen cylinders to differentiate between industrial and medical oxygen,” the lawmaker said in his letter to the PMO.
He urged the PMO to instruct the relevant authorities to issue advisory to state governments directing them to ensure the quality of medical oxygen and conduct mandatory inspections of medical oxygen production facilities.
Taking cognizance of the issue, the PMO has written to the health ministry directing it “to take action as deemed appropriate”.
In India, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) are responsible for managing the supply of medical oxygen in India. While the health ministry develops guidelines for setting up oxygen plants, DPIIT manages the supply of medical oxygen, including drugs and equipment.
Different industries, including health systems, use oxygen on a regular basis. According to the WHO, medical-use oxygen is very different from industrial oxygen in purity and quality. “Thus, industrial and medical use (oxygen) are not interchangeable,” says the WHO document.
