Gujarat: Rajkot hospitals complain of acute shortage of oxygen
Several hospitals in Rajkot, Gujarat are facing an acute shortage of medical oxygen, with some of them even expressing fear that the paucity of this life-saving gas might even result in the death of patients if the situation does not improve. Ironically, the Gujarat government had recently claimed in the high court that adequate medical oxygen was available in the state.
Two patients died allegedly due to lack of oxygen
In Rajkot city, two critical patients admitted to Kundan Hospital died after the facility ran out of oxygen as alleged by their family members, even as the hospital management has denied the charge. "The hospital did not have any oxygen for almost two hours during the night. Two COVID-19 patients lost their lives due to oxygen shortage," a relative told reporters on Friday.
Hospital has denied all the allegations
"For the last three days, relatives have been arranging oxygen cylinders for the patients as the hospital was not interested," the relative further said. However, the hospital claimed that the patients were already critical when they were admitted. "The allegation that two patients lost their lives due to oxygen shortage is unfounded," said Dr. Manoj Sida of the hospital.
Other hospitals in Rajkot facing oxygen crisis as well
Meanwhile, Rajkot Collector Remya Mohan has ordered an inquiry into the allegations. "A three-member committee, headed by a Sub Divisional Magistrate, would probe the matter," the collector said. Some hospitals in Rajkot complained of oxygen shortage. In a statement, Genesis Multispeciality Hospital declared that its oxygen stock was declining fast and the remaining stock would last for a couple of hours only.
Oxygen crisis in other parts of Rajkot district
In Gondal town of Rajkot district, designated COVID-19 hospitals; Krishna Multi Speciality Hospital, Shreeji Hospital, and Shree Ram Hospital claim that they are not getting enough supply of medical oxygen. Of the total 70 coronavirus patients admitted to Krishna Hospital, 62 are on oxygen support, Dr. Bharat Shingala said, adding that they somehow managed 35 cylinders from other sources just before the stock ended.
It's a long wait for refills of oxygen cylinders
"The distributor is also overburdened because oxygen is in short supply. Though we had sent two vehicles with empty cylinders for a refill, our turn did not come even after 15 hours. Other hospitals are also facing the same issue," said Dr. Shingala.
