Oxygen crisis: Govt to buy 1.5 lakh units of DRDO's 'Oxycare' system

The government on Wednesday approved the procurement of 1.5 lakh units of 'Oxycare' system, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). ₹322 crore have been sanctioned from the PM-CARES Fund for the purchase to help in the treatment of Covid-19 patients.

Oxycare is an oxygen supply system based on SpO2 (oxygen saturation) level. The DRDO has already transferred the technology to multiple industries in India for large-scale production of the Oxycare system.

The defence ministry said 1 lakh manual and 50,000 automatic Oxycare systems are being procured.

"The Oxycare system delivers supplemental oxygen based on the SpO2 levels and prevents a person from sinking into a state of hypoxia which can be fatal," the ministry said in a statement.

Oxycare was developed by DRDO for soldiers posted at extreme high-altitude areas.