KATHMANDU, April 27: A surge in the cases of coronavirus has called for an increasing demand for medical oxygen, however the shortfall in cylinders could hit the smooth supply of the life-saving gas, said traders.

According to Nepal Oxygen Industry Association, currently the demand for medical oxygen per day is around 4,500 to 5,000 cylinders and their existing production capacity is 8,000 cylinders per day. “But the shortage of cylinders is creating a problem in delivery,” said Gaurav Sharda, president of the association.

There are 20 oxygen production companies across the country, of which eight oxygen plants are located in the Kathmandu Valley. These companies have an estimated 100,000 cylinders in total.

According to the association, the demand for oxygen has almost increased by threefold in the last one week due to a rise in the coronavirus infection rate. Government records show that the infection cases have crossed 4,000 individuals daily while the number of deaths also stands at two-digit numbers.  

Sharda said people have started hoarding oxygen-filled cylinders citing the critical situation in India, which has fuelled the shortage of the vessels.

Although a number of hospitals are supposed to have installed oxygen production plants by themselves, many are doing without the infrastructure. According to the health ministry, out of the 185 hospitals across the country, only 26 have oxygen plants and not all of them are in operation.

Only after the whopping rise in COVID-19 cases, the government has announced to waive taxes on the import of oxygen cylinders. Previously, a 15 percent customs duty, five percent excise duty and 13 percent VAT were imposed on the import of the cylinders. 

 
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