Oxygen cylinder suppliers charge high as the demand goes up to 300% in Bengaluru

Bengaluru: Private hospitals in the city say that unorganised sector suppliers of oxygen from whom they are compelled to procure it are charging at least thrice the prove fixed by the government. Whereas, the industry representatives say that the organised is selling by the book.

As there is an increase in ICU and HDU admissions due to the surging cases, the oxygen demand has gone up by 300%. Industry suppliers said that the demand could be met by the weekend. Health minister K Sudhakar said that action will be taken against those who charge high and added that the supply will improve over the next few days.

Many hospitals are buying oxygen cylinders from wherever they can

“Medical oxygen price per cubic metre is regulated which is inclusive of transport cost. Given the shortage, many hospitals, especially smaller ones, are buying from wherever they can get it. Last week, I paid Rs 75 per cubic metre, which is almost thrice the prescribed cost”, said Dr HM Prasanna, president, Private Hospitals and Nursing Homes Association.

Few hospitals stated that the going rate in the city is Rs 800- Rs 900 per cylinder. “We need 25-26 cylinders every 12 hours. With regular suppliers unable to meet our demand, we are forced to purchase from outside. On Tuesday, we purchased 10 cylinders at Rs 900 each”, said Puneet Sonu, an OT staff at Krishna Hospital.

Subhashish Guha Roy, MD, Universal Air Products is of the view that the cost of a cylinder is Rs 202 which is inclusive of 12% tax while transport charges are additional. He said, ” We don’t charge more than the fixed price.”

Also, two other big suppliers stated that there was no overcharging, while the demand has increased multifold.

An industry representative informed that Akash Hospital is installing a 6,000 litre-vessel. “We produce 65 tonnes per day. Before the pandemic, we sold 50 tonnes per day, now, we sell nearly everything we produce and 80% is going to hospitals”, said Guruprasad Rao, senior manager (sales and marketing), Bhuruka Gases.