HealthCube, a point-of-care technology-enabled diagnostics service provider, will now enable distribution of medical oxygen cylinders and concentrators under an initiative called OxygenForIndia. The company is the distribution partner in this initiative started by a group of individuals and organisations from a variety of backgrounds to raise funds for the cause. Currently operating out of Delhi, it will be expanded across Kolkata, Ranchi, Guwahati, Chennai, Hyderabad and Bengaluru in the days to come.
Through OxygenForIndia.Org, the aim is to raise $1,200,000 for providing 3,500 cylinders and 700 concentrators to those who need it the most. Within seven days after it was initiated, OxygenForIndia has received $500,000 in contributions. Around 50 medical oxygen cylinders were delivered to patients in Delhi and 50 oxygen cylinders are on their way.
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Dr Ramanan Laxminarayan, Founder, HealthCube and OxygenForIndia, said in a release, “Since there is no organised arrangement to supply oxygen concentrators and cylinders, we decided to step in and founded OxygenForIndia. We raised funds for 2500 cylinders and concentrators. We have been able to make good progress and aim to raise the required funds to support the supply of oxygen in these dire times. “
Despite a capacity to produce at least 7,100 tonnes of oxygen every day, India is struggling to provide it where it is needed the most due to a supply chain and distribution issue. The delay is a product of where production units are located and a stretched distribution network. To solve this, OxygenForIndia desks will be placed at various hospitals to help people get oxygen cylinders and concentrators at zero cost.
This will be a reliable one-stop solution for those in need. Providing medical oxygen cylinders will help take care of patients at home without the need for hospital admission; help hospitals with their medical oxygen supply which is currently unreliable and enable turnover of beds to allow new patients to be admitted.
