BMC set up O2 team in Mumbai

Mumbai: After the recent observations of the Supreme Court, there was a lot of interest in the ‘Mumbai model’ of oxygen management.  I wonder what makes a management style unique and what makes its name when the ingredients at hand seem to be common in cities.  The success of the Mumbai model is due to the centralization of certain aspects and decentralization of services. It was essential for the oxygen management in this mega city to understand the needs of Mumbai and micro-planning. 

Doing a pandemic efficiently involves many aspects, including resource, inventory mapping, storage capacity creation, and proper distribution network management.  Our ‘Oxygen Team’ was asked to visit each hospital and compile information on storage capacity, method of distribution, names of suppliers and supply periodicals. 

We estimated that the need for oxygen increased significantly during the pandemic, and we expected an increase in the number of beds with ICUs and oxygen. The work was completed within 40 days.  The useless tanks in the first Covid wave carried the load very effectively during the second Covid wave. Adequate supply of liquid medical oxygen is very important.  I think this is where Delhi got into trouble.  Even if everything else is in place, the basic supply volume will suffice. 

For three consecutive days, Mumbai also witnessed a lot of SOS calls.  We transferred many patients to large hospitals without incident.  Excellent teamwork put forward by BMC.  Proper supply chain management is very important to avoid supply disruptions.  Because new difficulties may arise at any time: the oxygen filling stations at the construction plants are lined up by tankers, and the waiting time is longer, because now the plants are delivering live.  

In emergencies, contacting a plant and requesting a refill can help, an option we sometimes use!  One thing to keep in mind is that optimizing turnover time is crucial as the number of cryotankers is limited.  Currently, the Oxygen Team is working on future proofing of the impacts and requirements of the oxygen supply.  As an enhancement measure, we will set up self-generating oxygen plants in all BMC hospitals.  New plants can take care of 100% of patients in normal time and in extreme conditions.  This distribution system works well without pressure in the face of interruptions.