New Delhi: All the medical colleges are required to have a round-clock oxygen supply for critically ill patients, the recent amendment by the National Medical Commission (NMC) to Minimum requirements for Annual MBBS Admissions Regulation has mandated.
The decision comes in an attempt to ensure that medical colleges and hospitals are well equipped to deal with the pandemic situation. The medical institutes will have to comply with the orders within 6 months.
The Minimum requirements for Annual MBBS Admissions Regulations were released last year by the apex medical regulator to bring in major reforms redefining the medical education sector. However, now considering the COVID-19 pandemic and the corresponding acute need for oxygen supply for critical patients and those requiring oxygen clinically, the provision to make oxygen supplies available in all the medical colleges has been made.
Earlier, the NMC had released a draft amendment on the provision.
Read Also: All Medical Colleges have to become Oxygen Safe in next 6 months: NMC
Now, according to the final amendment, all medical colleges will need to have a dedicated PSA (Pressure Swing Adsorption) or VSA (Vacuum Swing Adsorption) produced oxygen supply, in addition to the supply from liquid oxygen tank for critically ill patients or patients requiring oxygen in all beds/ beds cum trolleys.
The amendment comes under serial no.3 under the heading Emergency Department in Para 10.2 of Schedule III of Minimum requirements for Annual MBBS Admissions Regulation, 2020. Schedule III deals with specified equipment needed for various departments in the College and Hospitals.
The confirmation to this effect comes from a recent notice signed under the authority of the NMC's Undergraduate Medical Education Board President, Dr Aruna V. Vanikar wherein it has been clearly stated:
In exercise of powers conferred by Section 57 of the National Medical Commission Act, 2019 (30 of 2019), the National Medical Commission makes the following amendment in S.No.3 under the heading 10.2-Department of Emergency Medicine of Clause-10 Clinical Departments in SCHEDULE III EQUIPMENT (for various departments in the College and Hospitals) of Minimum Requirements for Annual MBBS Admissions Regulations, 2020 notified vide gazette notification no. NMC/MCI 35 (1)98-med. (ii) 123627 dated 28th Oct 2020.

10.2 Department of Emergency Medicine
S. No.
Name of the Item
No. Required
3.
"Central Oxygen and Suction points shall include provision of piped oxygen supply to all beds in the hospital having patients in critical condition or requiring oxygen from liquid oxygen tank installed at appropriate place in the hospital complex.
In addition, all Medical College hospitals are also required to have a dedicated PSA (Pressure Swing Adsorption) or VSA (Vacuum Swing Adsorption) technology produced oxygen supply in addition to piped oxygen supply, which is to be installed and made operational within six months, notwithstanding the requirement of the Department of Emergency Medicine mandated from 2022 onwards."
All beds/bed-cum trolleys having patients in critical condition or requiring oxygen.

To view the official NMC notice, click on the following link:
https://.in/pdf_upload/nmc-152586.pdf