Oxygen imports on hold as patient numbers drop

by Staff Writer 28-09-2021 | 11:05 AM

COLOMBO (News 1st); The State Ministry of Production, Supply, and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals says the daily requirement of medical Oxygen for COVID-19 patients, reduced to 38 tonnes.

The amount of medical Oxygen required for COVID-19 patients daily was previously at around 135 tonnes.

Secretary to the State Ministry, Saman Ratnayake said the orders placed to obtain medical Oxygen from Singapore and India were temporarily halted, adding that it will be obtained if and when the need arises again.

He said 78 tonnes of Oxygen can be produced by the two local companies in Sri Lanka.

According to Saman Ratnayake, the restriction imposed on the supply of Oxygen for factories and other industrial purposes has been eased and the two local companies are also supplying Oxygen for other industrial purposes in addition to hospitals.

The Ministry of Health said 83 COVID-19 patients are currently receiving treatment in the Intensive Care Units.

Director of Medical Technology Services and Chief Coordinator of COVID-19 at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Anwar Hamdani said there are around 382 COVID-19 patients dependent on Oxygen at COVID-19 Treatment Centres.

Previously, there were more than 1100 COVID-19 patients dependent on Oxygen.

There are 275 COVID-19 Treatment Centres at present.