In a bid to strengthen the health infrastructure with respect to the overall oxygen crisis, IIT Kanpur has decided to set up 10 indigenous oxygen plants this month. As per reports, the Institute’s Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC) will progress this scheme under the banner of its flagship resource agenda ‘Mission Bharat O2’. Launched in May 2021, Mission Bharat aims to create a self-sustaining healthcare system by promoting indigenous manufacturing at par with global standards.
IIT Kanpur to ensure widespread availability of oxygen plants
A SIIC incubatee, AIPL, has developed the design for the oxygen plant. SIIC will work with four other manufacturers: Avadh Rail Infra Ltd, Pullman Engineering Pvt. Ltd, Energypack Boilers Pvt. Ltd, and International Cylinders Pvt. Ltd.#MissionBharat #MissionBharatO2 #innovation pic.twitter.com/mZ9za47hDI
— IIT Kanpur (@IITKanpur) June 8, 2021
SIIC incubatee, AIPL, has developed the design for the oxygen plant and will now anchor as a manufacturing partner as well. Besides them, the SIIC plans to induct 4 other manufacturers to support the healthcare facilities with the vision of flattening the COVID curve and provide critical care. These include Avadh Rail Infra Ltd (Tamil Nadu), Pullman Engineering Pvt Ltd (West Bengal), Energy Pack Boilers Pvt Ltd (Gujarat), and International Cylinders Pvt Ltd (Himachal Pradesh).
These chosen manufacturers are strategically located in different parts of the country to ensure a widespread supply of the furnished oxygen plant. This will help the premier institute to tap on its goal of setting 10 plants by June end, and over 50 such units in the coming months. SIIC’s liaison with local hospitals and administration will further regulate the combined efforts to build support for the public health system.
Under the pivotal authority of Professor Amitabha Bandyopadhyay, Professor-in Charge of Innovation and Incubation at IIT Kanpur along with Srikant Sastri, Director, FIRST-IIK and Chairman 13G Advisory Network with Rahul Patel, Head of Strategic Initiative at the SIIC, the institute at Kanpur will harness the production of 250 LPM and 500 LPM oxygen plants.
Mission Bharat O2 to build the Indian healthcare system
Prof. Amitabha Bandyopadhyay said, “With Mission Bharat O2, we look further to equip healthcare systems with world-class medical infrastructure.” SIIC, IIT Kanpur aims to reduce the overall dependency on imports by building an ecosystem of indigenous medical systems.
Mr Srikant Sastri said, “The true spirit of innovation lies in the innovator’s ability to adapt to dynamic demands of the ecosystem.” He has shown confidence in the Mission Bharat O2 to pioneer the course of local manufacturing as the new normal. This is a crucial step to facilitate quality healthcare equipment within the national borders, the Sastri added.
Before this, the SIIC Team has also catered to the dynamic needs of the pandemic with swiftness. Officials highlighted the achievement of the 90-day Noccarc V310 ICU ventilator and Swasa N-95 masks during the first wave of coronavirus. Both these products were manufactured indigenously, testifying India capability as a reliable producer in times of urgency.
