Government Unveils National Protocols for Medical Oxygen Oversight
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Synopsis
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has released national protocols aimed at enhancing medical oxygen management across healthcare facilities, ensuring preparedness for surges in demand.
Key Takeaways
- Introduction of national guidelines for oxygen management.
- Focus on enhancing medical oxygen infrastructure.
- Emphasis on training healthcare professionals.
- Addressing increased oxygen demand during emergencies.
- Collaboration with AIIMS for capacity building.
New Delhi, March 27 (NationPress) The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare unveiled the national protocols for medical oxygen management on Thursday.
The protocols, introduced during a workshop at the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi, are designed to enhance the infrastructure for medical oxygen and address potential increases in demand.
Medical oxygen is a critical clinical requirement for both children and adults suffering from various acute and chronic ailments, as well as for patients undergoing surgical procedures.
The launch of these protocols signifies a crucial advancement in fortifying the nation’s medical oxygen infrastructure and establishing standardized best practices in oxygen management throughout healthcare facilities.
“It is vital to effectively maintain and utilize the medical oxygen infrastructure to ensure that we can promptly address demands during any surge situations,” remarked Punya Salila Srivastava, the Union Health Secretary, at the event.
She emphasized the importance of applying lessons learned from India’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The demand for oxygen can significantly escalate during emergencies, including epidemics, pandemics like Covid, and natural disasters.
The detailed protocols offer a framework for the effective procurement, storage, and administration of medical oxygen, prioritizing patient safety, capacity building, and emergency readiness.
In addition, the workshop also initiated the National Capacity Building Programme on Oxygen Management, led by the AIIMS’ Department of Hospital Administration in partnership with the Disaster Management Cell of the Health Ministry.
This program aims to train approximately 200 master trainers nationwide, who will subsequently enhance the capacity of hospital administrators and medical officers in the proper management and utilization of medical oxygen, minimizing wastage and improving clinical outcomes.
“AIIMS will play a pivotal role in leading the capacity-building initiative,” stated Prof. M Srinivas, Director of AIIMS, underlining the significance of training and awareness across all levels of healthcare.
