KOCHI:
FICCI Kerala State Council organized a webinar on the manufacturing of indigenous oxygen concentrates and oxygen enrichment technology for medical purposes. VSSC Swaas Deputy Director Dr.S. Elangovan, CSIR Director Prof.Dr. Harish Hirani and Bharat Electronics Limited Senior DGM K. Raveendranath were present. Kerala Medical Services Corporation Appellate Authority General Manager Dr.S.R. Dileep Kumar delivered the keynote address.
The experts who participated in the webinar pointed out that it is time to create awareness about oxygen even among doctors in the country. Experts said it was necessary to build oxygen concentrators indigenously. With the spreading of the Covid- 19, many people have come to realize that oxygen is so important in daily life, said Dr. S. R. Dileep Kumar. He pointed out that oxygen was beginning to be considered an essential commodity and that even homes could be bought and stored.
“It’s a situation where Covid resistance can’t be carried out without a precise outline of oxygen availability,” Dr. S. Elangovan said. In Kerala, there was only one medical oxygen manufacturing unit operating at Kanchikode. It produced 140 metric tons of liquid oxygen per day. But now it has been raised to 180 MT. He assured necessary cooperation to increase oxygen production. Oxygen production will accelerate in three to six months, he said. He added that Covid-19 could only effectively tackle the third wave only if the availability of oxygen concentrators was ensured.
Harish Hirani said that there were many misconceptions about the level of oxygen saturation and the amount of oxygen required and that no one should follow their own advice without setting the level themselves. He added that the WHO has given precise guidelines in this regard. K. Raveendranath assured that they will provide maximum technical assistance and facilities to increase production of oxygen.
FICCI Kerala State Council Co-Chair Dr. M.I Sahadullah welcomed the gathering and head of the State Council, Dr. Savio Mathew proposed vote of thanks. FICCI Health Committee Co-Chair Bibu Punnooran was the moderator.
