ForumIAS announcing GS Foundation Program for UPSC CSE 2025-26 from 26th June. Click Here for more information.
What is the news?
The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare has launched the National Oxygen Stewardship Program.
What is the National Oxygen Stewardship Program?
Aim: To empower all healthcare workers engaged in Oxygen management and administration with the essential knowledge and skills to ensure rational utilization and avoid any wastage of medical Oxygen, especially in resource constraint settings.
As part of the programme, at least one oxygen steward will be identified and trained in each district across the country.
These trained professionals would be responsible for leading the training on oxygen therapy and management in their respective districts, and also support audit of oxygen delivery and preparedness for a surge scenario.
What are the other steps taken by the Government to avoid Oxygen Shortage?
The government of India has sanctioned at least 1500 Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) oxygen generation plants, of which 1463 have been commissioned.
| Note: Pressure swing adsorption (PSA) is the process by which ambient air passes through an internal filtration system (e.g. a molecular sieve [zeolite granules or membranes]) which has a large enough total surface area to separate nitrogen (N2) from the air concentrating the remaining oxygen (O2) to a known purity. |
The Centre has also set up OxyCare, a dashboard that disseminates information on the available oxygen stock for its better distribution.
| Must Read: The issue of medical oxygen in India – Explained, pointwise |
Source: This post is based on the article ‘Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar inaugurates National Oxygen Stewardship Program’ published in PIB on 23rd Dec 2021.
