The Manipur Government recently 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.
TFM Desk
Youth’s Forum for Protection of Human Rights (YFPHR) on Tuesday urged Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh to review the recent order regarding Oxygen crisis in the state and allow homely treated non-COVID patients who are in need of full time oxygen to buy and refill the Oxygen cylinder at the earliest from their dealers and suppliers.
YFPHR in a representation also urged CM Biren to organise a meeting with all the suppliers and dealers of Oxygen in the state to suggest the government on the possible way forward to restore the oxygen crisis in the state of Manipur.
The forum further urged CM Biren to develop an action plan for three months on how to deal with the Oxygen crisis in the state and make public the same.
The representation also stated that the forum learned from various sources and suppliers that the approximate number of cylinders required in the state is nearly 500 to 600 which includes government hospitals, private hospitals, military hospitals and private home treated patients. However, total numbers of cylinders required after COVID patients surged and the approximate number of cylinders required per day is nearly 800 which is increased by one-third of the total demand normally, it added.
The oxygen suppliers and dealers in the state have their own private customers upto 50 to 70 treating their ailing patients at home who are in need of oxygen full time, it said.
Since the order No. MED-1706/15/2021-HS-HEALTH which was issued dated May 1, 2021 by the principal secretary (Health & Family Welfare), Government of Manipur, restricted access to buy and refill the Oxygen cylinders, the home treated non-COVID patients are suffering from not able to buy the filled oxygen cylinder which is of serious concern.