A group of 18 young couples have pooled in funds to start an oxygen bank for the economically challenged Covid patients in home isolation.

This is the first oxygen bank in the district. The oxygen cylinders will be provided for free on prescription of a doctor.

The group known as ‘Bokaro Midtown Couples’ has also arranged for a vehicle service ‘Muktivahini’ that will be used to carry the dead bodies of Covid patients to the burning ghat.

The district had 472 active cases till Wednesday morning. Of these, there are about 160 patients in home isolation. Since March there were 3831 persons detected positive. Of them, 3333 residents were cured and 26 patients have died.

“The recovery rate in Bokaro is above 90 per cent,” said Dr Ashok Kumar Pathak, a civil surgeon.

The oxygen bank was inaugurated by director of Bokaro General Hospital, Dr A.K. Singh. BGH is a dedicated Covid hospital in Bokaro.

Singh said that timely delivery of oxygen cylinders to Covid infected patients will prove to be very helpful in saving their lives.

“Making oxygen cylinders available to the needy persons is really a praiseworthy step. It will help in providing relief to the Covid-19 patients,” said Dr Singh.

Subhash Jain, a member of the group said, “We have purchased 10 oxygen cylinders at present. If needed, we will purchase more in second phase.”

Former president of the group, Sajan Kapoor said, “it is a small step to serve the society in this time of crisis. We have assessed that people, especially positive patients, are facing problems in getting oxygen. The cylinders will be issued to the patients on prescription of a practising doctor.”

The group has also floated a mobile number 9431164552 on which residents can call for oxygen cylinders.