Covid crisis worsens in Rajasthan with hospitals flagging oxygen shortage

An Ajmer-based hospital, treating at least 80 covid patients, raised a flag over declining oxygen supply on Monday late night. Responding swiftly to the SOS, the district administration arranged 50 oxygen cylinders on the wee hours of Tuesday.

Ajmer (Rajasthan): Oxygen crisis deepened in certain parts of Rajasthan including the state capital with hospitals flagging shortage of oxygen.

A city-based hospital treating at least 80 covid patients, flagged similar issues on Monday late at night. Subsequently, responding swiftly to the distressed message, the district administration arranged 50 oxygen cylinders in the wee hours of Tuesday.

However, the hospital authority said that the cylinders are not enough to handle the situation. When ETV Bharat asked about the stock of oxygen cylinder, hospital PRO Santosh Gupta said that the clinic has been facing a shortage of oxygen after the Central government reduced the quota of Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO).

"Earlier, we had a quota of 30 MT of oxygen. Now, the Centre has reduced the quota to 15 MT. Though we have been in a distressed situation, we are doing our best to ensure a smooth supply of oxygen to the patients," said Gupta.

"Yesterday, we had raised the issue of oxygen shortage and urged the state as well as local administration for help. Luckily, we got 50 oxygen cylinders with the help of the local administration. This is not enough to run a hospital," added hospital PRO.

However, the hospital authorities maintained that the government has assured them to provide an adequate amount of oxygen by Tuesday night.

Earlier on Friday, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot appealed to the Central government to extend its help to the state, which is facing a shortage of oxygen, Remdesivir and other life-saving resources due to the huge surge in active Covid caseload in the state.