Cabinet approves increased import of oxygen

The Cabinet had approved a proposal to import 300,000 litres of oxygen weekly to meet the demand created by increasing detection of COVID-19 cases, co-cabinet spokesman, Dr. Ramesh Pathirana said yesterday. The proposal was submitted by the Minister of Health, Keheliya Rambukwella.

Minister Pathirana said that the Cabinet had approved a proposal to import 120,000 litres of oxygen a month. However, a decision was made to increase the volume in a bid to ensure that there would be no shortage of medical grade oxygen.

GMOA Secretary Dr. Senal Fernando said that the demand for oxygen had increased dramatically and that the move was an acknowledgment of the ground realities by the government.

(RK)