New Cost of Maintenance: Rs 5 Lakh Per Year Per Plant

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Rs 5 Lakh Per Year Per Plant
Rs 5 Lakh Per Year Per Plant

The state of Karnataka is facing a growing challenge: maintaining the over 240 oxygen plants that were set up across its hospitals during the Covid-19 pandemic. With oxygen demand drastically falling post-Covid, maintaining these plants has become financially unsustainable for many district hospitals. The state is now seeking assistance from the National Health Mission (NHM) to ensure the continued operation of these plants.

243 Oxygen Plants Installed During Pandemic Now at Risk of Closure
Karnataka’s hospitals were equipped with 243 pressure swing adsorption (PSA) oxygen plants during the peak of the pandemic, ensuring an uninterrupted supply of oxygen for Covid patients. However, with fewer cases and hospitalizations, the demand for medical oxygen has declined. As a result, many of these plants face the possibility of becoming defunct, posing a challenge to the state’s healthcare system.

Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao Appeals for Financial Support
Dinesh Gundu Rao, Karnataka’s Health and Family Welfare Minister, has publicly appealed to the National Health Mission for financial assistance to help maintain these plants. With each plant requiring an estimated Rs 5 lakh annually for upkeep, Rao has stressed that without the necessary funding, many plants could be forced to close, leaving the state vulnerable in the event of future health emergencies.

Rs 5 Lakh Maintenance Cost Per Oxygen Plant a Burden for State Hospitals
The Rs 5 lakh per year required to maintain each oxygen plant is a significant expense for the state, especially when the demand for oxygen has fallen. Hospitals, which were previously dependent on the oxygen plants, are now opting for oxygen cylinders, which are cheaper and more flexible. This shift has made it harder for hospitals to justify the ongoing cost of maintaining the stationary plants.

Post-Covid Oxygen Shortage Eases, Shifting Focus to Oxygen Cylinders
The decline in Covid-19 cases has led to a decrease in oxygen demand. As a result, many hospitals are now focusing on cylinder-based oxygen, which is more cost-effective in the current environment. This shift in supply has made it increasingly difficult to maintain the plants, which were originally installed to ensure a continuous and reliable oxygen supply for critical patients.

National Health Mission to be Approached for Financial Assistance
To ensure that the oxygen plants do not become idle, the Karnataka government plans to approach the National Health Mission for funding. This support will help cover the annual maintenance costs and prevent the plants from shutting down. With future health threats always a possibility, keeping these plants operational is crucial for Karnataka’s preparedness.


As the need for oxygen decreases, Karnataka is faced with the difficult task of maintaining its healthcare infrastructure. The request for funding from the National Health Mission could be vital in ensuring that the state’s oxygen plants remain ready for any future health crises. With proper financial support, Karnataka can keep these crucial resources operational and ensure that its hospitals are equipped to handle unforeseen emergencies.