Lok Sabha Question No. 3768 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-25
Subject: Deaths due to Oxygen Shortage
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Sisir Kumar Adhikari, Harsimrat Kaur Badal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3768 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.03.2022

## DEATHS DUE TO OXYGEN SHORTAGE

## 3768.  SHRI SISIR KUMAR ADHIKARI: SHRIMATI HARSIMRAT KAUR BADAL:

Will the Minister of HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- a) whether  the  Government  has  collected  data  on  suspected  deaths  due  to  oxygen  shortage reported by States and Union Territories if so, the details thereof;
- b) whether the Government has conducted any inquiry on such deaths, if so, the details thereof;
- c) whether the Government has issued any  guidelines for States/UTs to  record  deaths  due  to oxygen shortage, if so, the details thereof;
- d) whether the Government has fixed any responsibility on the concerned officials or authorities unable to provide sufficient medical oxygen supply and prevent such deaths, if so, the details thereof; and
- e) the measures taken to ensure that the States/UTs have sufficient supply of medical oxygen in anticipation of potential future waves of COVID-19 along with the other steps taken in this regard?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE ( DR BHARATI PRAVIN PAWAR)

(a) to (e): Government of India maintains data of total cases and deaths reported by States/UTs on  a  regular  basis.  Accordingly,  Union  Government  has  requested  States/UTs  to  furnish  the details  as  asked  for.  Few  States/UTs  have  responded  and  none  of  the  State/UT  has  reported confirmed death due to oxygen shortage.

Detailed guidelines for reporting of deaths have been issued by Union Health Ministry to all States/UTs. Accordingly, all States/UTs report cases and deaths to Union Health Ministry on a regular basis.

ICMR on 10 th May  2020  issued  'Guidance  for  appropriate  recording  of  COVID-  19  related deaths in India' (Available at: https://www.icmr.gov.in/pdf/covid/techdoc/Guidance\_appropriate\_recording\_of\_related\_deaths \_India.pdf).

MoHFW vide  letter  dated  9 th October  2020  has  conveyed  to  States/UTs,  WHO  and  ICMR

guidelines  on  correct  recording  of  COVID-19  related  deaths  in  accordance  with  globally accepted ICD-10 classification and also urged states to undertake periodic death audits with an aim to improve quality of healthcare services by suitable corrective measures. States/UTs were also provided with a proforma for death audits in this regard.

Health is a State subject. Government of India is supporting States in their endeavor to enhance preparedness and response capacities against COVID-19. Various initiatives have been taken by the  Government  to  provide  technical  guidance  and  further  strengthen  health  infrastructure, availability  of  essential  logistics  including  drugs  and  medical  oxygen  supply  to  manage COVID-19.

More than 180 guidelines/advisories/SoPs/plans have been issued to States/UTs by Ministry of Health &Family Welfare. This includes technical guidance on issues ranging from surveillance and containment of COVID-19, travel advisories, clinical management protocols for managing COVID-19 cases in adults and children, management of mucormycosis, rational use of oxygen, SOPs for safe resumption of activities in workplaces, markets, religious places etc.

In  order  to  address  the  surge  in  demand  for  oxygen,  the  Central  Government  had  supported States in terms of increasing the availability, streamlining the distribution and strengthening the oxygen  storage  infrastructure  in  the  country.  Steps  were  initiated  to  import  Liquid  Medical Oxygen (LMO) from overseas, Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) Plants were taken up besides providing oxygen cylinders and concentrators to States.

As on 21 st March 2022, 3756 PSA plants have been commissioned in the country. This includes PSA  plants  under  PM-CARES,  PSUs  of  various  Central  Ministries,  and  other  sources  to enhance  capacity  of  medical  oxygen  production  and  supply  at  the  facility  level.  4,02,517 oxygen cylinders and 1,13,858 oxygen concentrators have been allocated to States/UTs.

Under ECRP Phase  II,  funds  for  installation  of  958  Liquid  Medical  Oxygen  (LMO)  storage tanks with 1,359 Medical Gas Pipeline Systems (MGPS) has also been provided to States.

All  States/UTs  are  provided  financial  support  through  ongoing  infrastructure  upgradation schemes including National Health Mission, Emergency COVID-19 Response Packages - I & II and State Disaster Response Funds to assist in management of COVID-19 pandemic.