As India touches 20 million Covid-19 infections, a number of states over the last few weeks have reported shortages of medical oxygen for a growing pool of patients in need of oxygen support. Dozens of hospitals in a number of cities and towns have run short of the life-saving gas, sending relatives of patients scrambling for oxygen cylinders, sometimes in vain.
As oxygen therapy became critical in the nation’s fight against coronavirus, the country is having a tough time in making the supply meet the ever-growing demand. The shortages of medical oxygen are becoming increasingly apparent in various states across India. Here’s a look at how these shortfalls can pose severe challenges to India’s fight against COVID-19.