DCs and SPs of all the districts have been instructed to conduct random checking of unauthorised usage (commercial/ non- commercial) of Oxygen cylinders within their jurisdictions.
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Manipur Government warned of action against those hoarding Oxygen cylinders. All the dealers have also been instructed to stop the sale of filled Oxygen cylinders for non-medical purposes and to take back the cylinders and utilise them for medical supply.
The Health Department issued an order on measures in view of the requirement of Oxygen for the treatment of COVID patients in the state and in order to ensure the effective supply chain management for the same.
The Deputy Commissioners (DCs) and Superintendents of Police (SPs) of all the districts of Manipur have been instructed to conduct random checking of unauthorised usage (commercial/ non- commercial) of Oxygen cylinders within their jurisdictions and to take up necessary actions against the offenders under relevant provisions of law.
On the basis of the Oxygen manufacturing capacity currently available in the state, the following allocation has been made to the Institutions: RIMS Hospital – 120 D-Type Cylinders; JNIMS Hospital – 120 D-Type Cylinders; Shija Hospital – 70 D-Type Cylinders; Raj Medicity – 60 D-Type Cylinders; District Hospitals and other COVID Health care Facilities – 50 D-Type Cylinders; Non-COVID Hospitals (For emergency purposes only) – 100 D-Type Cylinders. This allocation will be revised with addition of more manufacturing capacities in the state, it added.
Manufacturing units have also been ordered to prepare a cycle of supply of Oxygen cylinders to the dealers or institutions on the basis of the above allocation to ensure that every institution receives the requisite quota in batches throughout the day.
DCs of Bishnupur and Imphal West have been instructed to depute one responsible officer each for 24X7 on rotation basis at the manufacturing units or plants located within their jurisdictions with immediate effect.
The officers will maintain a record of the supply and delivery of Oxygen cylinders along with the dealer and institution-wise log book for the plants. They will have to furnish a daily report at 6:00 am and 6:00 pm to deputy secretary (Transport), Government of Manipur, Mayengbam Veto Singh, who will place the same to the state oxygen team which will further monitor the distribution of daily supply to each dealer till the final user.
“Any unauthorised diversion of Oxygen cylinders other than for medical usage shall be penalised under relevant provisions of law,” the order warned.
The concerned institutions and dealers will have to cater the extra requirements of Oxygen cylinders from manufacturing plants outside the state. Private dealers should work out a mechanism for refilling from bigger plants outside the state in order to meet the deficits in the demand, it added.
The managing director of MSPDCL has also been instructed to ensure regular supply of power to the Oxygen manufacturing units in the state. The order also advised that a dedicated officer be assigned to monitor supply of power at HVS Oxygen Plat, Patsoi and M/S Manipur Gas Pvt. Ltd, Bishnupur
The order further stated that Shija Hospital and JNIMS Hospital need to ensure their Oxygen plants to be operational in the shortest possible time.
For home isolation cases, the district home isolation teams will be responsible to arrange Oxygen cylinders in coordination with the DCs for cases that need critical care support awaiting admission in higher facilities.