#OxygenCrisis: 25 sickest patients die at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital
Delhi's Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, which has been leading the coronavirus battle from the front for months, lost 25 sickest patients in the last 24 hours. At 8 am today, the Director-Medical released a statement, claiming that oxygen would last only two hours, indicating that the mayhem was caused due to scanty supplies. However, Chairman Dr. DS Rana said not all deaths can be ascribed to oxygen shortage.
'Need oxygen to be airlifted urgently'
Crying for help, the Director-Medical informed that ventilators were also not working effectively. "Need oxygen to be airlifted urgently. Lives of another 60 sickest patients in peril," the statement read. Just yesterday, another official at the facility claimed that oxygen would last merely five hours. This further fanned speculations that the hospital is facing an immense crisis.
Meanwhile, Chairman didn't ascribe all deaths to oxygen shortage
Commenting on the incident, Dr. Rana informed that the hospital is treating severely sick COVID-19 patients. "We are doing manual ventilation to ensure patients survive. I am told oxygen has reached Delhi's border, should be reaching shortly," he had told NDTV.
After SOS, oxygen tanker reached the hospital
Previously, the hospital had received oxygen after HC's intervention
To recall, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital is one of the few medical facilities that had received oxygen late on Tuesday night, after Delhi High Court intervened. Dr. Rana had revealed that 14,000 cubic meters of oxygen arrived in two separate consignments. "The total requirement at present is 11,000 cubic meters. The supply should last 24 hours till 9 am tomorrow," he had disclosed.
Max Healthcare also claimed it is running out of oxygen
Separately, another renowned medical chain, Max Healthcare, also sent an SOS this morning. "Less than an hour's oxygen supplies at Max Smart Hospital and Max Hospital Saket. Awaiting promised fresh supplies from INOX since 1 am," the tweet read. Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's office, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, and other top ministers were tagged in the post.
'700 patients admitted, need immediate assistance'
Subsequently, a tanker reached Max Smart
Responding to the plea, DCP South Delhi tweeted, "Oxygen carrying vehicle has reached Max Smart. Senior officers are monitoring the situation. (sic)" Max Healthcare tweeted that hospitals received emergency supplies and are now waiting for more. On the crisis, Dr. Sangita Reddy, the Joint Managing Director of Apollo Hospitals Enterprises, tweeted that hospitals continue to face troubles despite the government's order.
Every minute of delay can cost lives: Dr. Reddy
Overburdened hospitals are being forced to turn away patients
The destructive second wave of coronavirus has overburdened healthcare infrastructure and hospitals are now turning away patients due to a shortage of beds and oxygen. On Wednesday, Delhi High Court had pulled up the Centre and asked if human lives have no value. "You beg, borrow or steal, or do whatever you have to do but you have to provide oxygen," HC had directed.
