Last Updated on January 16, 2025 by The Health Master
Oxygen
The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has directed the Health Ministry to address the prompt need for clearer labelling of oxygen cylinders in a special move to ensure patient safety.
The above-mentioned directions have been issued on plea from Dr. Ajeet Madhavrao Gopchade, Member of Parliament, in which it is highlighted the potential risk of using industrial oxygen for the purpose of medical use, which may lead to high complications in the patients.
The risk of mislabeled oxygen
Dr. Gopchade, a medical professional himself, emphasized the high risk of using industrial oxygen instead of medical oxygen.
He also pointed out the alarming rise in fungal infections, which led to vision loss among the patients during COVID-19.
These patients were on external oxygen support during the pandemic.
The regulatory gap:
Dr. Gopchade’s letter highlighted a significant gap in current regulations on the labelling of the oxygen cylinders.
He noted that the labels on the oxygen cylinders are not clear, which makes it difficult to differentiate between industrial oxygen and medical oxygen.
Due to this, there may be a serious threat to patient safety and demands immediate attention to the issue on both the central and state government levels.
Call for Action:
Dr. Gopchade, in his letter, appealed and the PMO to:
- Issue clear guidelines to the relevant authorities to issue all the mandatory guidelines for all the states for the strict quality control on medical oxygen.
- Conduct regular and mandatory inspections of the units manufacturing and distributing medical oxygen.
The PMO’s Response:
Taking the seriousness of the issue, the PMO has promptly responded and issued a directive to the Ministry of Health to take necessary action in this matter.
This move gives a clear-cut commitment to improving patient safety and ensuring high-quality standards in the health care system in India.
The Importance of Medical Oxygen:
The World Health Organization (WHO) has clearly stated that medical oxygen differs from industrial oxygen with respect to quality and purity.
Industrial oxygen cannot be used in place of medical oxygen, as industrial oxygen may cause serious harm to the patient’s health.
1. What is the difference between industrial and medical oxygen?
The World Health Organization (WHO) has clearly stated that medical oxygen differs from industrial oxygen with respect to quality and purity.
2. What are the risks of using industrial oxygen instead of medical oxygen?
Industrial oxygen cannot be used in place of medical oxygen, as industrial oxygen may cause serious harm to the patient’s health.
Disclaimer: This article contains information obtained from the source mentioned below. Our team made changes in the format to rewrite and present the news or article in a unique format.
Disclaimer: The information we have provided is for general knowledge and for informational purposes only, and it cannot be treated as medical advice. Always consult your doctor for any health issues and/or for the treatment of the same. The Health Master does not claim responsibility for this information.
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