The Ministry of Health says that the oxygen supply to several places including the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital has been restored despite issues with regard to outstanding payments to suppliers.

Deputy Director General of Health Services, Dr. Hemantha Herath stated at a press conference today (01) that the supply of oxygen is now running smoothly and hospitals are in a position to treat patients who are in need of oxygen..

Ceylon Oxygen stopped supplying oxygen to the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital and the Methsiri Sevana Kovid Treatment Center due to delays in payment.

Due to the recent outbreak of the pandemic, steps were taken to obtain more Oxygen for emergencies. The stamdard daily oxygen requirement of Sri Lankan hospitals was 22 Metric Tons and the demand increased to 140 Metric Tons due to the fourth wave of the pandemic.

Currently, 600 COVID19 patients across the country are dependent on oxygen and the required oxygen level is estimated at 38 MTs. In addition to the local manufacturers, the government also imported oxygen from foreign suppliers in the past few weeks.