Proactive Measures: The Pakistani government has decided to import 6000 tons of oxygen, 5000 cylinders, and 20 cryogenic tanks in order to prepare capacity to deal with the peak of the third wave of COVID-19 in the country. This was announced after the NCOC meeting on Friday as a proactive measure to avoid future catastrophe. The Minister said that it was the same kind of decision making that pulled Pakistan out of the first and second wave.
NCOC reviews production and supply of oxygen and decides to grant import permission of 6000 Metric Tons of oxygen and 5000 oxygen cylinders to ramp up health care facilities in the country
@OfficialNcoc https://t.co/HX6kc7CElS— Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) April 29, 2021
Reasoning: Pakistan is currently experiencing 100+ daily deaths since the past few weeks because of the virus. Recently, Pakistan saw its deadliest day since the pandemic started seeing 201 deaths across the country on April 28th. Furthermore, new strains have been spotted around the country and these measures are being taken in order to avoid a situation like in our neighbouring country. Asad Umar wrote that the current oxygen dependent COVID-19 patients are 57% more than they were last June, so it is important to make early decisions.
Total number of critical care covid patients on oxygen reached 5360 yesterday. This is 57% more than the peak last june. Alhamdulillah have so far managed to cope with this huge increase because of proactively building capacity of the entire system from oxygen production to beds
— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) April 30, 2021
Oxygen situation: With the increase in the need for oxygen, the Minister tweeted that oxygen production had also been drastically increased from last June compared to 465 tons/day to today’s 725 tons/day.
Total oxygen production operational capacity in Pakistan last year was 487 tons/day. It has been increased to 798 tons. Oxygen production has gone up from 465 tons/day last jun to 725 tons currently. We also imported 19,200 oxygen cylinders last year to ensure distribution
— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) April 30, 2021
Next few weeks: Asad Umar stated that the next few weeks are really critical in deciding how our country handles the third wave. He said that we have coped well till now, but we will have to impose various lockdowns and restrictions if we are to avoid the worst. He advised everyone to be strict and adamant on following SOPs through Eid.
However, the challenge is not over and Infact is continuing to increase. The need for precautions and following sop's is vital at this point in time. Next few weeks are critical. No system can cope if we allow the disease to spread rapidly. May Allah be with us and protect us
— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) April 30, 2021