By Karnataka’s 243 PSA oxygen plants, essential during the Covid-19 pandemic, now face a funding shortfall. With oxygen demand dropping significantly, the state is seeking financial assistance from the National Health Mission (NHM) to keep these plants operational and prepared for potential future crises.
Oxygen Demand Declines, PSA Plants Struggle for Funding
The once-critical need for oxygen in Karnataka hospitals has significantly decreased, leaving the PSA plants that were installed during the pandemic underused. These plants are now at risk of becoming financially unsustainable due to the high cost of their maintenance.
Annual Maintenance Cost of Rs 5 Lakh Per Oxygen Plant
Each PSA plant requires an annual investment of Rs 5 lakh for maintenance. With reduced oxygen demand, hospitals are opting for the more cost-effective alternative of using oxygen cylinders, leading to concerns about the viability of maintaining these plants without external financial support.
Dinesh Gundu Rao Requests NHM Financial Support
Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao has called on the National Health Mission to provide the necessary funding to maintain the PSA plants. The financial support would cover the Rs 5 lakh maintenance cost per plant, ensuring that they remain operational and ready for future emergencies.
Shift to Oxygen Cylinders Raises Concerns Over Health Preparedness
As hospitals opt for the more affordable option of oxygen cylinders, the long-term readiness of the state’s health system is called into question. Without the financial backing needed to sustain the PSA plants, Karnataka may face challenges in responding swiftly to future health crises that require a large-scale oxygen supply.
Long-Term Solutions Needed for Healthcare Infrastructure
Maintaining the PSA plants is part of a broader effort to invest in Karnataka’s healthcare infrastructure, ensuring it is prepared for future health emergencies. Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao’s appeal for NHM funding underscores the importance of long-term planning in healthcare readiness.
The Karnataka government’s request for financial support from the National Health Mission is crucial for the continued operation of the state’s PSA oxygen plants. With Rs 5 lakh required annually to maintain each plant, securing this funding will ensure Karnataka’s preparedness for any health emergency that may arise.
