Twenty-five patients have died over the last 24 hours at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, informed the hospital’s medical director in a statement on Friday.
The hospital refused to say anything over it whether the deaths happened due to oxygen shortage or not, even as several others in the National Capital issued distress messages about their dwindling oxygen supply on Thursday.
The Disaster Management Act was invoked by the oxygen crisis prompted to ensure its unrestricted supply after Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia blamed police forces of the two neighbouring states for preventing inter-state movement of tankers carrying it.
“Oxygen will last another 2 hrs. Ventilators and Bipap [non-invasive ventilation] not working effectively. Resorting to manual ventilation in ICUs [intensive care units] and ED. Major crisis likely. [The] lives of another 60 sickest patients in peril. Stop catastrophe. Need Oxygen to be airlifted urgently. Governments please help. We have warned,” the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital said in an SOS on Friday morning.
The police said, no oxygen contingency arose in the hospital and that there is no dearth of it. They informed that the hospital has oxygen stocked up that will last for three hours and the oxygen tankers are en route.
An oxygen tanker was stuck in Rohini as the driver did not know the route. “Ganga Ram [Hospital] staff is now escorting the tanker,” said a hospital spokesperson.
Deputy commissioner of police (central) Jasmeet Singh said the hospital did not make any distress call seeking a green corridor. The hospital informed them that they have at least three-hour stock ready and also one container is on its way already.
Oxygen cylinder vehicles are not stopped and the police provide it only after receiving distress calls. To be sure, a green corridor is not provided to every vehicle.
Police have stationed a liaison officer at the hospital. One officer from the district administration will also remain in touch for any such emergency situation.
