Bengaluru KIMS hospital running short of oxygen supply; Minister assures to setup oxygen plants in state

In wake of two incidents of oxygen-dependent coronavirus patients being shifted at midnight to different hospitals due to supply disruptions, the Karnataka government on Tuesday said that it is working to set up oxygen plants at all hospitals in the state.

Bengaluru (Karnataka): As the coronavirus cases have seen a rapid surge in Bengaluru, leading an acute shortage of oxygen in hospitals, the Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences on Tuesday has written a letter to the state government describing the alarming situation in the COVID dedicated hospital.

According to a senior doctor at KIMS, the COVID-19 patients need oxygen support during the treatment. But the hospital has been running out of oxygen. Also, the oxygen cylinder supplier denied meeting the demand of the hospital.

Copy of the letter sent to Karnataka govt regarding the shortage of oxygen supply

"Due to shortage of Liquid oxygen from the manufacturing company on 17/08/2020, we have anticipated that low oxygen volume hypoxic crisis may occur for oxygen-dependent patients. Hence we have informed Government authorities about the situation and requested for arrangements of liquid oxygen from other suppliers. For damage control and on precautionary measures we plan to shift all oxygen-dependent patients to various government and private Hospitals. During this crisis, all government officials and authorities immediately responded to our call and supported us by joining hands with the management in this hour of crisis for saving the lives of the patients. We are indebted for their kind co-operation", read the letter sent to the state government.

Responding over the issue, Minister for Medical Education of Karnataka, Dr Keshavareddy Sudhakar said that the current pandemic has shown no signs before knocking the doors of our country. The officials are working hard to meet the demands of the KIMS hospital.

Minister for Medical Education of Karnataka, Dr Keshavareddy Sudhakar during his visit to KIMS hospital on Tuesday

"We are taking measures to establish oxygen plants at all hospitals across the state. We are in contact with private firms which supply liquid oxygen... the Principal Secretary, Industry Department is in touch with them", added Sudhakar.

"Some patients were shifted to various hospitals including Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital and Rajiv Gandhi Hospital. 20 oxygen cylinders have been sent to Kempe Gowa Insitute of Medical Sciences Hospital and Research Centre," Sudhakar said.

Sudhakar also said that he asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to help set up more liquid oxygen plants in the state when he last interacted with him in a video conference.