The Government of Japan and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) India have collaborated to provide oxygen generation plants to India’s North Eastern Region as the second pandemic wave spreads at an alarming pace. Since June of last year, the Government of Japan and UNDP India have been working together to help the Government of India’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic by bolstering the health and social security structures and reviving livelihoods to alleviate the devastating effects on the most vulnerable people’s lives. One of the major problems facing the health system across the world due to the current pandemic has been the acute shortage of medical oxygen. Because of the vital need for an uninterrupted oxygen supply, UNDP was able to procure and install eight Pressure Swing Absorption (PSA) oxygen generation plants in the North-Eastern Indian states of Meghalaya, Nagaland, and Tripura, thanks to the generosity of the Japanese citizens. In the area, hospitals with a total capacity of about 1,300 beds have been listed as potential sites for these oxygen generation plants. Excess oxygen will be spread to other medical facilities in the area of the hospitals. The installation sites are being prepared in order to begin producing oxygen as soon as possible. In this crucial moment, Japan stands with India, our friend and ally, in her efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. I am pleased that Japan is collaborating with the UNDP to provide essential oxygen generation plants to India’s North East citizens.
Mr. Satoshi Suzuki, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Republic of India, said, “India’s North East occupies a special position in Japan-India relations, and I sincerely hope that the Oxygen generation plants will benefit those in need in the North Eastern Region of India.” “I would like to express my gratitude to the people of Japan for their vital support, which will allow UNDP to maintain an uninterrupted supply of oxygen in hospitals and health centers throughout the country, especially in hard-to-reach areas. The situation in India is dire, and the pandemic is still threatening millions of people. Ms Shoko Noda, UNDP India’s Resident Representative, said, “UNDP desperately needs additional help to ensure that we hit the last mile and leave no one behind.”
