Oxygen demand now 270 tons daily: Health minister

The demand for medical oxygen has risen to 270 tons daily, Health Minister Zahid Maleque said today.

"The country usually needs 60-70 tons of oxygen daily. But now there is a need for 270 tons of oxygen daily," the health minister said while speaking at a virtual discussion organised by Bangladesh Private Medical College Association.

He said that 40 oxygen generators will be installed at 40 hospitals across the country by August. "So, we will not have any oxygen shortage."

At the same event, Prof Abul Bashar Mohammad Khurshid Alam, director general of the health directorate, said there will be enough supply of oxygen from India.

"From now on, 200 tons of oxygen can be imported from India twice a week. As such, 1,600 tons of oxygen will be imported each month. There will be no oxygen crisis," Prof Khurshid Alam said.