Indian Railways is planning to set up 86 oxygen plants for its hospitals including 6 oxygen plants under the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR).
In the areas under Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), oxygen plants are planned to be installed in Railway Hospitals at Maligaon, Katihar, New Bongaigaon, Alipurduar, Lumding and Dibrugarh, the NFR stated in a statement.
Railways is moving Oxygen Expresses swiftly with loaded oxygen to different parts, at the same, it is continuing with the movement of passenger and freight traffic.
At the same time, Railways has geared up its in-house medical facilities.
“Massive capacity enhancement is planned in 86 Railway Hospitals across India. Four oxygen plants are functional, 52 are sanctioned and 30 under various stages of processing. All Railway Covid Hospitals will be equipped with oxygen plants,” the NFR said in the statement.
The General Managers have been delegated further powers, up to Rs 2 crore in each case for sanctioning oxygen generation plants under M&P vide Rly Bd letter no 2020/F(X)II/ PW/3/Pt dated May 4, 2021, it stated.
A series of measures have been initiated.
The number of beds for Covid treatment has been increased from 2,539 to 6,972, the statement said.
The ICU beds in Covid hospitals have been increased from 273 to 573.
“In NFR areas, 354 beds have been provided in Covid Care Hospitals for treatment of Covid19 positive patients,” the statement said.
Invasive ventilators have been added and their number has been increased from 62 to 296.
Constant efforts are being made to add critical medical equipment like BIPAP machines, Oxygen concentrators, oxygen cylinders, etc. in Railway hospitals.
Railways have also issued instructions that Covid affected employees may be admitted to empanelled hospitals on referral basis as per need.
“This massive capacity enhancement in Railway Hospitals would usher in better infrastructure to handle medical emergencies,” it added.