The Chairman of Sir Ganga Ram hospital, DS Rana, however, acknowledged that deaths took place in the last 24 hours but added that it couldn’t be linked to oxygen shortage.
A statement from Delhi’s Ganga Ram Hospital on Friday morning said that 25 of the “sickest” patients had passed away in the last 24 hours due to lack of oxygen and that the current stock of oxygen will only last for 2 hours. Soon after the hospital sent out the SOS call that 60 more patients were at risk, visuals came in of a couple of Inox’s tankers (the country’s largest oxygen manufacturer) rushing to the hospital.
Delhi: Oxygen tanker arrives at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in the national capital after the hospital sends SOS pic.twitter.com/MLDiFm6vmq
— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2021
“25 sickest patients have died in last 24 hours. Oxygen will last another two hours. Ventilators and BiPAP (ventilators for invasive treatment) not working effectively. Resorting to manual ventilation in ICUs and Emergency. Major crisis likely. Lives of another 60 sickest patients at risk, need urgent intervention,” Ganga Ram’s Director, Medical, said in a statement in the morning.
Delhi’s SGR hospital, one of the top private hospitals in the city is treating more than 500 COVID-19 patients. Of them, 142 are on high-flow oxygen support, the hospital says.
The Chairman of Ganga Ram hospital, DS Rana, however, acknowledged that deaths took place in the last 24 hours but added that it couldn’t be linked to oxygen shortage.
“I would not ascribe the deaths to oxygen shortage. A large number of patients are in serious condition in the hospital. But we are facing severe oxygen shortage.”
– cHAIRMAN OF SGR TO NDTV.
Several hospitals in Delhi including Max and Fortis Hospitals, have, over the past three days, flagged a crisis of oxygen supply, beds, and medicines amid rising Covid cases, and many have approached the Delhi High Court for help.
Also Read: “Human Lives Don’t Matter For The Government”: Delhi HC Slams Centre Over Oxygen Shortage
The Court had asked the Centre to strictly follow its order to provide medical oxygen to Delhi and ensure safe passage to oxygen without obstructions. “Beg, borrow or steal,” said the judges, warning the Centre that “all hell would break loose” if hospitals ran out of oxygen.
Delhi yesterday reported 26,169 new COVID-19 cases in 24 hours; 306 deaths were reported, the highest in a day.
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