Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 190/21

MEGHALAYA SETS UP OXYGEN GENERATION PLANTS

To provide intensive care treatment to the critically ill COVID-19 patients, emergency oxygen supply has been made available in three civil hospitals of Meghalaya - Tura, Nongpoh and Jowai. The plants utilize Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) technology to produce up to 800 litres of oxygen per minute.

A total of eight oxygen generation plants are being installed in the Northeast states of Meghalaya, Nagaland and Tripura with the help of the Government of Japan and UNDP. The plants have the capacity to serve approximately 1,300 beds.

Launching the plants in Tura today, Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Mr. Conrad Sangma stated, “I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the Government of Japan and UNDP, in enabling Meghalaya to fight against Covid in a much stronger way. The true nature of friendship can be confirmed in times of difficulty like now. Oxygen generation plants supported by Japan and UNDP have proven our strong relationship. I would like to also thank UNDP staff on the ground who have worked twenty-four seven tirelessly to set up the plants in a very timely manner. I look forward to working more in the future with Japan and UNDP in the fight against COVID-19”.

“Ensuring uninterrupted supply of oxygen in the Hospitals of the State for treatment of COVID-19 patients had been a challenge for the Health Department. I express my sincere thanks to the Government of Japan and UNDP for the support extended to strengthen the State District Hospitals at Tura, Nongpoh and Jowai by installing PSA Oxygen Plants which is critical during this time of the pandemic,” stated Sri Sampath Kumar, IAS, Principal Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, Health and Family Welfare Department.

To support the Government of India’s ongoing COVID-19 response, UNDP together with the Government of Japan’s support is strengthening the health and social protection systems, most importantly reviving the livelihoods, targeting the most vulnerable population.

“Japan is always happy to provide development assistance to the North East, where we feel a special historical and cultural closeness. I hope that these Oxygen Generating Plants will serve well and help as many people as possible for a long time to come,” stated His Excellency Mr. SUZUKI Satoshi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Republic of India.

“UNDP stands committed to supporting the government of India to fight COVID-19, in partnership with development partners and UN sister agencies. I am pleased that our several months of effort to provide end to end service, to install and set the oxygen generation plants up and running has come to fruition. Together, we can better prepare for future crises,” stated Shoko Noda, UNDP Resident Representative in India.