NEW DELHI, May 3: At least 24 Corona patients are believed to have died in the government hospital in Chamarajanagar, near Mysuru, in Karnataka on Monday presumably because of oxygen shortage.
The officials, however, did not agree that all the deaths were caused by oxygen shortage. “All the patients who died were on ventilator and they had co-morbidities. The deaths are not necessarily due to oxygen shortage,” Deputy Commissioner of Chamarajanagar M.R. Ravi said.
Even though he claimed that the deaths were not linked to non- availability of oxygen, he, however, admitted of oxygen shortage and that it was difficult to source oxygen from Mysuru.
The suppliers, who were under pressure to meet Mysuru’s requirements, were finding it difficult to ensure regular supply to Chamarajanagar.
Mysuru MP Pratap Simha too intervened late in the night to ensure oxygen supply to Chamarajanagar, Ravi said while claiming that he was personally monitoring the situation till 2 a.m. and procured 60 cylinders.
The family members of the deceased, however maintained that the deaths were caused by oxygen cylinder shortage and staged a protest in front of the hospital demanding action against the officials.
The Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa said he has spoken to Chamarajanagar district commissioner over the incident and has also called an emergency Cabinet meeting on Tuesday evening.
District in-charge and Minister for Primary and Secondary Education Suresh Kumar has sought a detailed report from the administration. Kumar said: “I have asked the administration for a detailed report on the exact reason for the death. If any negligence is found guilty he will face strict action.”
Kumar, who is in charge of Chamarajnagar district, said he had ordered a death audit of the tragedy. “Not all deaths which occurred over 24 hours was due to Oxygen shortage. A death audit will reveal the exact cause,” he said. However, he admitted that there was a shortage of oxygen to the district and there was a crisis for two hours post mid-night on Sunday.
The district, categorised among the most backward in Karnataka, is dependent on neighbouring Mysuru for oxygen supply. The minister said that he had requested the Chief Secretary to ensure a regular supply of oxygen to the district. “I am aware that Mysuru has increasing demand. But that does not mean that Chamarajnagar can be denied supply,” he said. He said an investigation will be conducted as to how oxygen supply was cut short. “Those responsible will face consequences,” he said.
The district administration in Mysuru has said it ensured the supply of 250 oxygen cylinders by midnight for which there are records and there was no delay on its part. The clarification followed allegations that the supply to Chamarajanagar district was restricted so as to cater to Mysuru.
Meanwhile, in Delhi which continued to battle against acute oxygen shortage, the High Court on Monday directed the Centre to apprise it of action taken, if any, on Delhi government’s request for Army’s assistance in setting up hospitals with oxygen and ICU beds. On Saturday, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia wrote to Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh requesting the Army’s help.
The high court is hearing pleas on oxygen shortage and other issues related to the ongoing Covid crisis in Delhi. On Sunday, some hospitals in the national capital sent desperate SOS calls to authorities to replenish their dwindling stocks.
The Delhi government has been demanding 976 metric tonnes of oxygen against which the Centre has allocated the national capital 590 MT, but the official data showed the highest supply against the allotment was of 409 MT on April 29. In the last 24 hours, Delhi recorded 407 virus deaths and over 20,000 cases with a positivity rate of 28.33 per cent.
(Manas Dasgupta)