New Delhi: Fulfilling its commitment to set up jumbo Covid care facilities equipped with gaseous oxygen, public sector undertaking (PSU) Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) has set up another Covid Care Hospital at Durgapur in West Bengal, which was recently inaugurated by Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Steel Dharmendra Pradhan.

Applauding the commitment of SAI for setting up the second Covid care unit within a short time, Pradhan said that the Centre will give boost to Covid-related medical infrastructure in the region and provide much needed help to the patients of the region. He said that SAIL’s both the steel plants in West Bengal at Durgapur and Burnpur have been standing strong to provide every possible help to the state in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic.

SAIL has strengthened West Bengal’s resolve to fight the pandemic. Recently, a 200 bedded Covid care facility at Burnpur was dedicated to the service of the nation. This was the first in the series of jumbo Covid care facilities being set up by SAIL in a fast-track mode. Pradhan said that under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the use of gaseous oxygen tapped from the source was conceptualized.

This 200 bedded Covid care hospital is fitted with supply of gaseous oxygen directly from the plant through a dedicated pipeline. This has been set up in a two storied building with ladders on both sides including ramp for carrying critical patients and it is equipped with valve controlled gaseous oxygen supply from nearby oxygen plant.

Another highlight of this hospital is its proximity to GT Road highway near CHRD, DSP, which will facilitate the ease of access for the patients. There are backup oxygen batteries which are available near the Care unit with provision of alternate oxygen cylinders in case of accidental interruption in the supply of pipeline oxygen including separate rooms for the use of doctors, nurses and other health workers as well as kitchens, bathrooms and toilet facilities for the patients.

This Covid care hospital by SAIL has come up within a very short time, after the first one at the PSU’s IISCO steel plant a few days earlier. These Covid care hospitals are being set up after the company’s announcement to set up additional 2500 beds with gaseous oxygen, around its five integrated steel plants, apart from the already earmarked and beds extended for Covid treatment in its hospitals. /BI/