Oxygen Audit, Complete Allocation Revamp Needed: Supreme Court To Centre

The Supreme Court also called for a complete audit of the system so as to give it a pan-India view that fixes accountability once stocks are released.

The allocation of oxygen across India, till now based on the number of beds and ICU usage, needs a complete revamp that takes into account evolving needs like home quarantine and ambulance usage, the Supreme Court told the Centre today. It also called for a complete audit of the system so as to give it a pan-India view that fixes accountability once stocks are released.   Hearing the matter of the government's plan for oxygen allocation in the face of shortages faced by various states, especially Delhi, a Supreme Court bench of DY Chandrachud and MR Shah said the Centre's existing formula based on the number of beds requires a complete revamp. "When you prepared the formula, not everyone wanted to go into an ICU. Many required oxygen at home. The Centre's formula does not take into account transportation, ambulance, and Covid-care facilities," Justice Chandrachud said. "We need to do look at the issue pan-India...an oxygen audit is necessary. What is the accountability once stocks are released?" the court asked, taking into consideration the logistics that follow the allocation and the modality for distribution to hospitals.