As the country needs oxygen supplies in COVID-19 control operations, the officials make efforts to produce oxygen from the government and Tatmadaw-owned oxygen plants, private-owned oxygen plants and import oxygen-related products with the donations of donors.
Two 20-metric ton tankers carrying liquid oxygen ordered from foreign countries for the public hospitals and COVID-19 centres in Yangon Region arrived in Yangon at 8 pm on 15 July and at 3 am yesterday. The experts refilled the liquid oxygen into the high-pressure oxygen tanks at North Okkalapa Hospital, Waibargi Hospital and Yangon General Hospital on the evening of 15 July and yesterday.
Yangon Region Administration Council Chairman U Hla Soe, Commander of Yangon Region Command Maj-Gen Nyunt Win Swe inspected the liquid oxygen refilling processes and instructed where necessary.
The Tatmadaw, Ministry of Health and Sports, Yangon Region Administration Council and donors worked together in ordering the liquid oxygen and they will systematically distribute oxygen to the hospitals and the patients in need of oxygen.
Moreover, the officials purchased 26 tankers with a capacity of 20 tonnes each of liquid oxygen using the cash contribution of well-wishers and they will arrive in Yangon soon.
The Yangon Region Administration Council Chairman and Commander then checked the liquid oxygen distribution processes of Myanma Dockyards in Kamayut Township and production of various oxygen cylinders at Ywama Steel Factory operated by the Myanmar Economic Corporation in Insein Township.
During their visit, they instructed the officials to produce quality oxygen concentrators.
The Min Dhamma oxygen plant of Myanmar Economic Corporation produces more than 149,000 cubic feet oxygen per day while Myaungtagar oxygen plant 120,000 cubic feet oxygen. The oxygen is distributed to the public hospitals, military hospitals and COVID-19 centres in Yangon and Bago regions.
Similarly, the oxygen plants are being established at the 1000-beds and 300-beds public hospitals and 300-beds Tatmadaw Gynaecological and Children Hospitals in Zabuthiri, Pobbathiri and Zeyathiri townships of Nay Pyi Taw Council Area, and they will generate oxygen withing coming days for the country’s oxygen needs.
Moreover, 200 oxygen cylinders (40 litres) received via border trade camps of Laukkai and Chinshwehaw townships of northern Shan State on 15 July were distributed to the public hospitals in Lashio, Kyaukme, Nawnghkio, Mantung, Namsang, Namtu and Hsipaw townships and the hospitals in Ayeyawady Region.
Moreover, 36 tonnes of liquid oxygen, 491 oxygen cylinders (40 litres), 40 oxygen cylinders (10 litres), 22 vacant oxygen cylinders (40 litres) and 40 units of oxygen-related equipment received via border trade camps of Myawady Township in Kayin State were also delivered to the public hospitals and COVID-19 centres in Kayin State, Mon State and Yangon Region while another 250 oxygen cylinders were sent to public hospitals and military hospitals in Dawei Township of Taninthayi Region.
Currently, the government permits the private entrepreneurs to import protective gears for disease. Therefore, 333 oxygen cylinders (40 litres) and 333 regulators imported by a private company in Yangon Region arrived in the country through Chinshwehaw border trade camp of northern Shan State and they will be transported to Yangon Region.
The Ministry of Health and Sports accelerates the operations of oxygen plants in regions and states while Tatmadaw make efforts to set up more oxygen plants in their respective military commands. The government also makes their utmost efforts to establish more new oxygen plants in the country not to occur oxygen shortage problems. — MNA
