SPEECH OF HONOURABLE GOVERNOR OF PUNJAB AND ADMINISTRATOR, UT CHANDIGARH, SHRI BANWARILAL PUROHIT ON THE OCCASION OF INAUGURATION OF PSA MEDICAL OXYGEN PLANT AT PGIMER AT CHANDIGARH ON 07.10.2021
- PRB
- 2021-10-07 16:20
I am extremely pleased and honoured to be here at the inauguration of the PSA Medical Oxygen Plant at PGIMER, Chandigarh. The plant is designed for a capacity of 1000 litres per minute and the system caters to 190 patients at a flow rate of 5 Litre per minute.
Today is an auspicious day; the beginning of the Navratras and Chandigarh is getting another Oxygen Plant with a capacity of 500 litres per minute in Sector 16 General Hospital which is to be virtually inaugurated by Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narender Modi Ji in a short while now.
PGIMER, Chandigarh is one of the reputed tertiary care institutes of Northern India which caters to highly critical patients even from adjoining states. It is one of the top two healthcare institutes in India. During the second wave of COVID-19, PGIMER played an important role in the fight against COVID-19. Though PGIMER managed to successfully tide over the Oxygen Crisis during the second wave by efficiently managing the available resources yet it was decided to upgrade the facilities so that the future needs can also be met.
I am happy to learn that PGIMER now has the option of generating medical oxygen on- site, in a highly cost effective manner with the installation of DRDO developed PSA oxygen plants under the aegis of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare funded by PM-CARES. PSA oxygen generator plant is a source of oxygen that can produce medical-grade oxygen, at scale, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Two PSA Oxygen Plants have been installed at PGIMER, Chandigarh. One of these two is being inaugurated today.
While all of us are trying to adjust to the new ?normal? way of life, and resuming our routines, hospitals have an additional responsibility to work without interruption towards the care of patients as well as ensuring the health of the frontline workers.
I always have appreciation and great regard for the doctors, nurses, other cadres of Health Sector and especially the front-line workers. They did and are doing wonderful job. Hats off to you! Let's give them a big applause. India stood as a country - class apart ? while handling this pandemic.
Despite being the world?s second-most populous country, with more than 1.3 billion people, the nation took swift action in controlling the rapid spread. In spite of the preparedness, the second wave hit our country hard. When you have an overwhelming situation and the need is so high, there will be disparity between what is available and what can be delivered.
Oxygen is something that needs to be looked at, calculated and prepared for - just like every other resource. It has to be done in particular time so you can provide for the needs of all patients who come to you.
I am reminded of a quote of revered Mother Teresa who said, ?I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things?. Considering its large population, India has indeed managed the Covid-19 situation with a mix of strategies better than many developed countries. We are into a new normal as we cannot shut down our livelihood options.
A famous physician once said, ?We cure sometimes, control often, comfort always?! We still are in an era where total cure or total prevention remains elusive for a number of ailments. We must however, ?care always?, and this tradition of ?care? is something that has enriched Indian culture and our family systems for centuries.
Thank you,
Jai Hind.