As the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic rages in India, Japan and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) India have partnered to provide eight oxygen generation plants to the North Eastern Region (NER) in India.

In the context of the ongoing pandemic overwhelming the health system across the country and creating an acute shortage of medical oxygen, UNDP has procured and installed eight Pressure Swing Absorption (PSA) oxygen generation plants in Meghalaya, Nagaland and Tripura in the NER with Japanese support.

The hospitals, with a capacity of approximately 1,300 beds in total, have been identified in the region for these oxygen generation plants, a UNDP release said.

The excess oxygen will be distributed among other health facilities in the hospitals’ vicinity. The installation sites are being prepared so that the oxygen production can start at the earliest possible.

“Japan stands with India, our friend and partner, in her efforts to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in this critical time”, shared by Satoshi Suzuki, Japanese Ambassador to India.

“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,” Shoko Noda, Resident Representative, UNDP India.

UNDP has also been supporting India's Ministry of Health and Family Welfare with the digitization of 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’.

Japan has also committed to providing critical items to India, including ventilators and oxygen concentrators.

(SAM)