How India is scrambling to secure medical oxygen and save lives

Ambulance drivers Ajay Kumar (L) and Gaurav Kumar (R) managed to get oxygen cylinders to fit in their critical care ambulance for Covid-19 patients in New Delhi, India, on Tuesday, May 4, 2021.

A mini truck waits inside Venkateshwar hospital as workers load up oxygen cylinders in New Delhi, India, on Thursday, May 6, 2021.

Workers move newly manufactured cylinders for transport at BPCL factory in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India, on Saturday, May 8, 2021.

People hold empty oxygen cylinders in line outside the oxygen refilling plant in Badarpur, New Delhi.

People wait in line inside the oxygen refilling plant for their turn to arrive in New Delhi, India, on Tuesday, May 4, 2021.

Mahesh Kumar waits patiently in line to refill an oxygen cylinder for his father outside refilling plant in New Delhi, India, on Tuesday, May 4, 2021.

An Indian paramilitary personnel stands guard as people take tokens for refilling oxygen cylinders in New Delhi, India, on Tuesday, May 4, 2021.

Workers at Venkateshwar hospital in Dwarka, fit in the new batch of oxygen cylinders to the hospital�s oxygen supply line in New Delhi, India, on Thursday, May 6, 2021.

Healthcare worker Poonam Kant prepares a new batch of empty oxygen cylinders for refilling at Tej Bahadur Hospital in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India, on Saturday, May 7, 2021.

Indian Paramilitary personnel stands guard inside the oxygen depot as crowds waiting outside for long hours get restless in New Delhi, India, on Tuesday, May 4, 2021.