With the second wave of Covid-19 pandemic continuing in India, the Government of Japan and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) India have come together to provide oxygen generation plants to the North eastern region of the country.
One of the key challenges in the ongoing battle against Coronavirus has been the shortage of medical oxygen. Keeping this mind, Japan has enabled UNDP in procuring and installing eight Pressure Swing Absorption (PSA) oxygen generation plants in the States of Meghalaya, Nagaland and Tripura in the North eastern region of India.
Those hospitals which have a capacity of approximately 1,300 beds in total, have been identified in the region for installing these oxygen generation plants. Whatever excess oxygen will be there, will be distributed among other health facilities in the vicinity of these hospitals. To enable the production of oxygen at the earliest, installation sites are being prepared.
Oxygen concentrator
Talking about Japan’s aid to India, His Excellency Satoshi Suzuki, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Republic of India`said: “Japan stands with India, our friend and partner, in her efforts to fight against COVID-19 pandemic in this critical time. I am pleased that Japan is working with UNDP to provide vital oxygen generation plants for the people of India’s North East. India’s North East occupies a special place for Japan-India relations and I sincerely hope that the Oxygen generation plants will help those people in need in the North Eastern Region of India.”
Shoko Noda, Resident Representative, UNDP India thanking Japan for the oxygen generation plants observed: “I would like to thank the people of Japan for this critical support that will allow UNDP to ensure uninterrupted flow of oxygen in hospitals and health centres in the region, especially those in hard-to-reach areas.”
Highlighting the critical situation in India, she added: “The situation in India is devastating and the pandemic continues to threaten millions of lives. UNDP urgently needs additional support to ensure that we reach the last mile to leave no one behind.”
The Government of Japan has also committed a sizable commitment of providing critical items to India, including ventilators and oxygen concentrators.
On May 8, India as part of its special strategic and global partnership received 100 oxygen concentrators from its partner and friend Japan.
UNDP has also been supporting the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare with digitization of the supply chain of vaccines and tracking beneficiaries across States to ensure better access and coverage. It has also helped build capacities of 820,500 frontline workers across the country to support the ‘world’s largest vaccination drive’.
