PM-CARES Fund approves procurement of 1.5 lakh units of DRDO's 'Oxycare' system
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New Delhi, May 12: In a major development, the Centre on Wednesday approved the procurement of 1,50,000 units of the 'Oxycare' system developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation ( DRDO ). The procurement will be done at a cost of Rs 322.5 crores under the PM-Cares fund to help the Covid-19 patients.
The Modi-led government will procure 1,00,000 manual and 50,000 automatic Oxycare systems along with NRBM (Non-rebreather mask) masks are being procured. Besides, the oxycare system was developed by the Defence Bio-Engineering and Electro Medical Laboratory (DEBEL) in Bengaluru of the DRDO for soldiers posted at extreme high-altitude areas.
Also Read: DRDO to set up 500 oxygen plants under PM-CARES fund in 3 months
The Oxycare System, which is indigenously developed for operation in field conditions and is robust, is a SpO2 based Oxygen Supply System, that regulates oxygen being administered to patients based on sensed SpO2 levels. It delivers supplemental oxygen based on the SpO2 levels and prevents the person from sinking into a state of hypoxia, which can be fatal.
There are two variants of the DRDO system. The basic version consists of a 10-litre oxygen cylinder, a pressure regulator-cum-flow controller, a humidifier and a nasal cannula. In this model, the oxygen flow is regulated manually based on the SpO2 readings. The second one is equipped with electronic controls which automatically regulates the oxygen flow through a low-pressure regulator and a SpO2 probe.
Also Read: DRDO to install five medical oxygen plants in Delhi & Haryana under PM-CARES Fund
The DRDO has transferred the technology to multiple industries in India which will be producing the 'Oxycare systems. Apart from this, the DRDO has also decided to set up seven medical oxygen plants in Odisha. The plants will come up at Boudh, Cuttack, Bhadrak, Gajapati, Jharsuguda, Nayagarh and Koraput districts, CGM of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Odisha, Ram Prasad Panda, said. The civil and electrical works of the plants will be done by the NHAI while the DRDO will look after the technical aspect, he added.
The DRDO's move is a part of its massive drive under which it has decided to set up 500 medical oxygen plants in the country within three months with the help of its indigenous developed technology. Once completed, each plant will generate 1,000 litres per minute (LPM) of oxygen and the life-saving gas will be supplied to hospitals through pipelines.