Odisha Receives A consignment of 1350 Empty Oxygen Cylinders From China

Bhubaneswar: Odisha became the first state in India to directly import medical equipment and cylinders from abroad.

A cargo flight from China landed at Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) on Sunday morning with 1350 oxygen cylinders and medical equipments.

The Chairman of Western Odisha Development Council (WODC), Asit Tripathy, tweeted that this is the first time that China has sent oxygen cylinders to India for use in treating critical COVID-19 patients.

The Odisha government is taking efficient measures for the distribution of oxygen cylinders to all the medical institutions and developing a reserve of oxygen cylinders, said Tripathy.

In two months more than 14000 additional cylinders have been added. Odisha will receive another consignment of 3500 cylinders from China which will arrive by cargo ship in the coming days. 

“We do have more than sufficient stock, but we are known for preparing in advance as we never know how the situation will turn out in future. We are augmenting the cylinder strength as much as possible,” shared Nitin B Jawale, MD, The Industrial Promotion & Investment Corporation of Odisha Limited (IPICOL).