Oxygen tanker leak in Nashik hospital claims lives of 22 coronavirus patients
Initial reports indicate the tank's cork broke down, resulting in the reduction of oxygen pressure. This disrupted oxygen supply to the COVID19 patients being treated.
The District Collector Suraj Mandhare told the Press that most of the fatalities were of the patients who were 'critically ill'. (Photo: Twitter)
At least 22 COVID19 patients have died following an oxygen tanker leak at a municipal hospital in Maharashtra’s Nashik.
Oxygen supply to critical coronavirus-infected patients in Zakir Hussain Hospital was affected after the tank carrying medical oxygen suffered a malfunction.
Initial reports indicate the tank’s cork broke, resulting in the reduction of oxygen pressure. The leakage from the oxygen tank led to the malfunctioning of the ventilators which resulted in the disruption of oxygen supply to the COVID19 patients who were being treated.
The disruption of oxygen lasted for 30 minutes and supply has since been restored.
Nashik District Collector Suraj Mandhare told the press that most of those who died were patients who were ‘critically ill’. He assured that supply of oxygen has been restored now.
Taking note of the Nashik tragedy, Prime Minister Narendra tweeted he was anguished by the loss of lives due to it and offered condolences to the bereaved families in this sad hour.
Meanwhile, in the wee hours of April 18, six critically ill COVID19 patients admitted at the ICU of the Government Medical College, Shahdol in Madhya Pradesh, had died reportedly due to low pressure of oxygen. Families of patients alleged drop in oxygen pressure led to these deaths. However, both the college dean and the district collector refused to link these to shortage of oxygen.
A number of hospitals in the country have been pointing out medical oxygen shortage. State governments have been requesting the central government for additional oxygen supply. Yesterday, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal urged the central government to provide medical oxygen as many hospitals in the city were reportedly running out of their supplies.
“Serious oxygen crisis persists in Delhi. I again urge the Centre to urgently provide oxygen to Delhi. Some hospitals are left with just a few hours of oxygen,” Kejriwal tweeted an hour back. I urge the central govt with folded hands to urgently provide oxygen to Delhi, he said.
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Meanwhile, on April 18, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare tweeted informing that “162 PSA [pressure swing adsorption] oxygen plants have been sanctioned by Government of India for installation in public health facilities in all States. These will augment medical oxygen capacity by 154.19 MT [metric tonnes].”
The ministry went on to inform that “out of 162 PSA oxygen plants, 33 have been installed. By end of April, 2021, 59 will be installed. By end of May, 2021 80 will be installed.” This means only 20 per cent of the sanctioned oxygen plants have been installed. It is not clear how many of these installed plants are operational at present.
(This is a developing report; more details awaited)