In the wake of rising critical cases of coronavirus, prices of oxygen cylinders have been doubled in the open market on Thursday, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

According to the latest rates, a small oxygen cylinder that was being sold out for Rs6,000 a couple of days back, has now reached Rs12,000 while the big one of Rs12,000 is now being rated at Rs20,000.

The market also showed that due to the shortage of cylinders as well as oxygen itself, the private traders started to sell these items in the black market while the prices of oxygen have also been raised.

It is pertinent to mention here that a small cylinder has a capacity of five litres of oxygen at one time and it could pump up the patient for around five hours regularly on the pressure of Point-Five. If such a cylinder used on extra pressure or on a big amount of pressure of the oxygen, then it would only provide the oxygen for only two hours. But, a serious affectee of corona disease who goes on ventilator needs oxygen round the clock.

Read More: Looming fears of oxygen shortage in Pakistan as Covid-19 cases soar

Following this alarming situation, the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) held a special meeting Thursday and decided to import 5,000 oxygen cylinders and 6,000 metric tons of oxygen.

The NCOC also decided to shut down the scrape market of Misri Shah Lahore to continue oxygen supply to the public hospitals.

 

Reporter Saba Bajair