Karnataka govtissues guidelines to streamline usage of medical oxygen May 03, 2021 Government swings into action as hospitals send out alarms on oxygen shortage As Karnataka is facing multifold increases in demand for oxygen, the State government has issued guidelines for rationalising use of oxygen in Covid-19 hospitals. “The data of the consumption of oxygen by the hospitals treating Covid-19 patients has revealed that there is an indiscriminate and wasteful use of oxygen in many hospitals. An optimal use of oxygen needs to be ensured both for better healthcare of the patient as well as the curtailment of wastage of oxygen as it is a scarce resource,” Jawaid Akhtar, Karnataka additional chief secretary, department of health and family welfare said in a circular.