New Cost of Maintenance: Rs 5 Lakh Per Year Per Plant
Karnataka, like many states, invested heavily in healthcare infrastructure during the Covid-19 pandemic. Among these investments were 243 pressure swing adsorption (PSA) oxygen plants installed at district and taluk hospitals. Now, as oxygen demand has significantly decreased, the state faces difficulties maintaining these plants, which are proving expensive to operate.
Declining Oxygen Demand Threatens Sustainability of PSA Plants
The demand for oxygen has sharply dropped since the peak of the Covid-19 crisis, leading hospitals to reconsider the necessity of maintaining PSA oxygen plants. While the plants were crucial during the pandemic, their underuse has made them financially burdensome, especially given the rising operational costs.
Rs 5 Lakh Needed Annually for Oxygen Plant Maintenance
Each PSA plant requires an estimated Rs 5 lakh per year for upkeep. Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao has emphasized that this substantial cost is unsustainable for many hospitals, particularly with a decreased demand for oxygen. The state has called for funds from the National Health Mission (NHM) to keep these facilities running.
Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao Urges National Health Mission for Support
In a bid to sustain these oxygen plants, Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao has requested financial assistance from the National Health Mission. The funding would help Karnataka ensure that these plants remain functional and available in the event of future health emergencies.
Hospitals Shift to Cylinders as Cost-Effective Alternative
As hospitals face budget constraints, many are opting for oxygen cylinders, which are more affordable and require less maintenance than PSA plants. This shift has made it increasingly difficult for hospitals to justify the high maintenance costs of the plants, even though their potential for emergency use remains critical.
Karnataka’s Health Infrastructure: Preparing for Future Crises
While the immediate need for oxygen plants has decreased, Karnataka’s long-term healthcare infrastructure planning must consider future crises. Keeping these plants operational is vital for preparedness, and securing NHM funds is seen as a necessary step in ensuring that the state is equipped for any future health challenges.
Karnataka’s oxygen plants, which were essential during the Covid-19 pandemic, now face the risk of becoming obsolete due to declining oxygen demand and high maintenance costs. With support from the National Health Mission, Karnataka hopes to preserve these facilities and ensure readiness for future health emergencies.
