Hyderabad: The second wave of the coronavirus has come as the biggest challenge to our country’s health system. During the first wave of the coronavirus last year, there was a shortage of ventilators, test kits and PPE kits. Now, the second wave has exposed the shortage of oxygen in hospitals.
According to the data released on Wednesday, in the last 24 hours, the highest number of new cases were reported -- 2,95,041 whereas at least 2,023 people lost their lives due to the deadly virus. Due to a tremendous increase in the caseload, people turn to hospitals and are in despair because of the lack of beds and shortage of oxygen in hospitals. As these are the basic requirements of a hospital during the treatment of any disease, the acute deficiency has highlighted that the country's healthcare system needs to be rechecked.
Working on a war front note, Indian Railways is getting ready to transport Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO) and oxygen cylinders across the key corridors.
Maharashtra: 22 killed due to lapse in oxygen supply
Maharashtra is the worst affected state in the country as it is reporting the highest number of cases across the country. Meanwhile, 62,097 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Maharashtra in the last 24 hours.
Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Wednesday said that arrangements for 1550 MT of oxygen have been made in the state as 15 per cent of currently active cases may need oxygen. Tope further added that Maharashtra is currently producing 1250 liquid oxygen and this oxygen will be used for 100 per cent for medical usage only.
Read: Oxygen tanker leakage leads to death of 24 COVID patients in Nasik
The matter turned ugly after 24 people were killed in an oxygen tanker leak incident at Dr Zakir Hussain Hospital in Maharashtra's Nashik district.
The tragedy took place in the Dr. Zakir Hussain Hospital run by the Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled NMC, which is among the biggest civic bodies and one of the worst Covid-19 hotspots in the state.
Delhi reports running out of oxygen supply after every 10-12 hours
After Maharashtra, the highest number of new cases is being reported from the national capital. In such a situation, there is a huge rush of coronavirus patients in hospitals. Subsequently, the news of a shortage of oxygen in the Delhi hospitals has stirred panic among the masses.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal held a meeting with Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal and appealed to the Central Government for help. After this, oxygen was supplied to many hospitals till late Tuesday and early Wednesday. Today, St. Stephen and Sir Ganga Ram Hospital told the media that only a few hours worth of oxygen is left in the city’s two key hospitals.
Delhi hospitals face severe oxygen shortage amid surge in COVID cases
"There are around 300 COVID-19 patients admitted to the hospital. There is a limit of only two hours of oxygen supply. We are struggling and seek immediate help. Oxygen supplier Linde India has stopped our supply," a hospital official told. Earlier on Tuesday evening, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia had flagged a critical shortage of oxygen in Delhi, informing that only 8 to 12 hours of oxygen was available in most hospitals.
Gujarat: 10 die due to lack of oxygen
In Gujarat too, the number of coronavirus patients is increasing on a daily basis. The oxygen consumption is also increasing with the increasing number of patients in hospitals. From government hospitals to private hospitals, the supply of oxygen is the major challenge. The way the consumption of oxygen is increasing, it has become difficult to manage the supply. It is more or less the same anecdote from Ahmedabad to Bhavnagar and Surat. The glaring gap between oxygen consumption and its supply to the hospitals of Gujarat is seen in the hospitals of Ahmedabad. Today, at least ten people have lost their lives due to a shortage of oxygen in Banaskantha.
10 COVID patients allegedly die due to lack of oxygen in Gujarat
Overall, the consumption of oxygen has increased these days in government and private hospitals alike across the country. Like Delhi, some states have only a few hours of oxygen left in their hospital stocks. In fact, patients suffering from the second wave of the coronavirus are having problems in breathing. In such a situation, it is the biggest challenge before the governments to deliver oxygen to hospitals during these trying days.
Madhya Pradesh
At present, the availability of oxygen in Madhya Pradesh is at 390 metric tonnes and the consumption has been pegged at 374 metric tonnes. The consumption of oxygen has increased in hospitals of Bhopal and Indore. There are a lot of patients in private hospitals as well as in government hospitals.
According to official data, 40 per cent of the total coronavirus patients admitted in Madhya Pradesh are on oxygen. By Tuesday, the oxygen supply was able to come close to 390 tonnes. The demand for oxygen is increasing by 75 tonnes daily.
Health Ministry floats global tender to import 50,000 MT of liquid medical oxygen
As the country is facing an acute shortage of oxygen supply at hospitals designated for COVID patients, the government on Wednesday floated a short-term global tender to import 50,000 metric tons of Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO). The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has floated this global tender through HLL Lifecare, which is a government enterprise. The tender, which was floated on April 16, states that the imported Liquid Medical Oxygen will be used by various hospitals of the Centre and State governments.
