There is a stark deficit of medical oxygen at hospitals across Uttar Pradesh, say reports from the country’s largest state.
Many notices have been going up across hospitals asking people to take patients elsewhere as supply of medical oxygen dropped dangerously below demand.
“We have not been able to get enough oxygen supply after repeated requests to the state and central governments. Please take your patients to higher centre for further management,” read a notice in the private hospital in state capital Lucknow.
Small COVID-19 hospitals in the state have started shifting their admitted patients and referring others to big hospitals for want of uninterrupted supply of liquid medical oxygen.
“Oxygen backup is for two hours up to 2.30pm today. It is requested to take urgent steps for the care of patients.” read another notice which Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College Aligarh authorities posted.
According to Naresh Mohan Deepak who is a state nodal officer of oxygen supply and distribution, the daily demand of medical oxygen has reached 700 metric tonnes due to a surge in critically ill patients.
However, the state is getting only 300 metric tonnes a day.
Deepak claimed that the situation should be better by Friday.
“Medical oxygen will soon be brought to the state from Rourkela, Durgapur and Bhilai,” he said.
