The second wave of Covid-19 is putting our health systems to the critical test not just on the clinical management of the sheer number of cases, its evolving nature and severity but also and perhaps more significantly because of the crunch and shortage in life saving resources, especially oxygen. As these are the most difficult times for all citizens of the country, there is a need to revamp and restructure organizational skills to cope up with this challenge. To address this particular challenge and put efforts into action, Government of Jammu & Kashmir organized four virtual trainings covering both Jammu and Kashmir divisions under the chairmanships of Principal Secretary to LG of J&K and Divisional Commissioners of Jammu and Kashmir on 2^nd, 11^th, 14^th and 22^nd May 2021.

These trainings were conducted with an aim to familiarise the service providers and health officials    on ensuring efficient and optimal usage of oxygen across various Covid-19 dedicated facilities in the Union Territory. The trainings were organized by NHM with support of the National resources person from PGIMER, Chandigarh, Consultant to Government of Maharashtra as well as subject matter experts from BJ Medical College Maharashtra, PVS Government Hospital, Kerala and Tirunelveli Medical College, Tamil Nadu.

Among participants attending the trainings were representatives from Director Health Services, Government and Private tertiary care hospitals as well as representatives from district health societies consisting of members from healthcare, administration, technical experts, mechanical engineer and oxygen plant operators. All participants who attended the above trainings have stepped in as trainers and have further trained other providers in their respective health facilities and districts.

NIPI as a technical partner played key role in facilitating organization of these trainings in coordination with National Health Mission, National resource persons, Divisional Commissioners offices and nodal officers along with bio-mechanical engineers and oxygen plant operators from all the Covid-19 health facilities (tertiary, secondary and primary care).

The support provided by NIPI team, J&K have been appreciated by all chairpersons and the “Letter of Appreciation” by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir recognizes the role NIPI played in successful conduction of these large scale trainings for Covid-19 health facilities.