Four COVID-19 patients die in Rewari hospital amid oxygen shortage
What's the story
Four patients died in a private hospital in Rewari on Sunday allegedly due to a shortage of medical oxygen following which the district administration launched an investigation. After the deaths in Rewari, relatives of some of the patients, who were admitted to the designated COVID-19 facility, held a protest outside the building complex alleging there was a grave shortage of medical oxygen.
What happened?
Repeatedly reminded the administration about the shortage: Hospital official
"Three patients died in the ICU, while one patient died in the ward. We have limited oxygen supplies. We are repeatedly telling the administration and have been sending reminders," a Rewari hospital official said. "We have been sending empty oxygen cylinders to vendors to fill them again. Since 9 am, we have been telling the authorities that we have limited stock," he added.
Oxygen crisis
Hospital is currently treating 114 COVID-19 patients
The hospital official said the hospital has a consumption of 300 medical oxygen cylinders per day. "There are 114 COVID-19 patients admitted in the hospital," he said. Narnaul Deputy Commissioner Ajay Kumar, who is currently officiating as the DC of Rewari district, said the allegations of oxygen shortage and four deaths were made by the hospital.
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Officials are investigating the deaths
"The sub-divisional magistrate, chief medical officer, and other officials are at the hospital to investigate. The hospital is claiming that there was an oxygen shortage. However, from the administration's end, regular supply has been given. All this is being investigated," Kumar said.
Another incident
Gurugram incident: Four died allegedly due to oxygen shortage
Meanwhile, the Gurugram district administration ordered a probe into the death of four patients in a private hospital who allegedly died due to an oxygen shortage in the facility. The hospital authorities denied these reports. "These patients had severe COVID-19. Being critically ill, their oxygen saturation levels dropped sharply. The doctors tried their best to revive them but they passed away," the hospital said.
Investigation
Gurugram district magistrate has ordered a probe
In the case of critically ill COVID-19 patients, one cannot predict when the saturation levels will fall, one of the owners of the private hospital said. The Gurugram district magistrate took cognizance of the incident and ordered a probe that would ascertain the circumstances leading to the deaths despite claims that oxygen was available. The probe will be conducted by Sub-Divisional Magistrate Jitender Kumar.
State orders
Haryana Government prohibited any industrial supply of oxygen
Due to the increased demand to cater to critical COVID-19 patients, the Haryana government on Sunday prohibited all oxygen manufacturing units or suppliers of oxygen in the state from providing the gas to industries till further orders. However, industries like pharmaceutical, petroleum refineries, steel plants, oxygen cylinder manufacturers, food and water purification, etc have been exempted from the order.
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Industries to maintain a record of manufacturing and distribution
"It is directed that the manufacturing units will provide their entire production of oxygen for medical purposes. These units are also directed to produce oxygen to their maximum capacity and maintain a record of the manufacturing and distribution," a state government order said.