A National Capacity Building Programme on Medical Oxygen Management, a flagship programme of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, under which the pioneering 'Training of Trainers' workshop was hosted by the Department of Hospital Administration, AFMC, Pune in partnership with AIIMS Delhi, & was inaugurated by Lt Gen Pankaj P Rao, Director & Commandant, AFMC & Colonel Commandant, Army Medical Corps for the states of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, & Madhya Pradesh on 30 Aug 2025.
The event saw active participation from State Nodal Officers, faculty members, and senior Nursing Officers from Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Madhya Pradesh, along with representatives from the MoHFW and AIIMS, New Delhi.
This national-level CME is a direct outcome of the lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, which highlighted the critical need for a robust and efficiently managed medical oxygen infrastructure. The program aims to create a cohort of master trainers who will cascade this essential knowledge to healthcare professionals at the secondary and primary levels, thereby enhancing the country's resilience and preparedness for future public health emergencies.
The one-day training covered the entire spectrum of medical oxygen management. Esteemed faculty from AFMC delivered expert sessions on topics including the oxygen ecosystem, planning and design of Medical Gas Pipeline Systems (MGPS), and regulatory compliance. The curriculum also focused on critical clinical aspects such as oxygen management in adults, paediatrics, and neonates. A key emphasis was placed on Quality Assurance, Patient Safety, and the principles of Oxygen Stewardship. The academic sessions were complemented by hands-on demonstrations of various oxygen administration devices and a site visit at Command Hospital (Southern Command), Pune, to provide practical exposure.
The successful conduct of this ‘Training of Trainers’ workshop is a testament to AFMC's unwavering commitment to national health security and its pivotal role in advancing the skills of healthcare professionals across the country.
