Karnataka’s Virajpet Govt Hospital to be first in the state to get oxygen converter

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<strong>Karnataka’s Kodagu district will be the first in the state to have an oxygen converter plant which will be able to generate oxygen from natural air. It will be installed in Virajpet Government Hospital.</strong></p>
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The project is likely to be completed in about 15 days and after that there will be a free flow of oxygen supply allowing the hospital to treat 100 Covid-19 patients.</p>
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The sole healthcare centre in the district is the Madikeri Covid Hospital and it took care of the severe and moderate patients. The administration in Kodagu started dedicated Covid care centres in Virajpet and Somwarpet. The 50-bed capacity dedicated Covid Care Centre in Virajpet Hospital could not function because of the shortage of availability of jumbo oxygen cylinders.</p>
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Talking to the Indian Express, Dr. Yatiraj, the Virajpet Taluk Health Officer, said: “The oxygen converter plant is upcoming with Rs. 1 crore funds and has been sanctioned by the State. This is the first of its kind in the State and once installed, we do not have to worry about oxygen shortage.” He went on to confirm that the installation work is ongoing and will witness completion in the coming ten to fifteen days.</p>
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He also explained that with the installation of this plant there will be a free-flow supply of oxygen as the convertor uses the natural air to produce the gas. “We had placed a proposal for jumbo cylinders. However, with the oxygen converter plant, we will not require any oxygen cylinders,” he observed.</p>