Desperately need supply of oxygen to save lives, appeals Delhi's Ganga Ram Hospital

New Delhi, April 20 (IANS) With supplies running out, the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital on Tuesday evening raised an alarm for oxygen for Covid-19 patients admitted in its ICU.

"We need oxygen very badly. Have enough to last only seven to eight hours," hospital Chairman D.S. Rana told IANS.

He said around 120 patients in the ICU are heavily dependent on oxygen. "If we don't get oxygen on time, then many will die," he warned. He said that the hospital administration has informed both the Centre and the state governments about shortage. "80 per cent of other patients are also dependent on oxygen," he added.

The hospital has 485 Covid-19 beds and 475 of them are currently occupied. "Only 6,000 cubic metres (of oxygen) left and the current consumption can only last till 1 a.m. Need urgent replenishment," the Hospital said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia too warned that many hospitals in Delhi will face shortage of oxygen in next few hours.

"In most hospitals in Delhi, oxygen is available for the next 8 to 12 hours only. We have been demanding for one week to increase the oxygen supply quota to Delhi, which the Central government has to do. If oxygen does not reach the hospitals in sufficient quantity by tomorrow (Wednesday) morning, there will be an outcry," he said a tweet, attaching a list of oxygen supply in some leading government and private hospitals.

High Court reaction on Oxygen
Today, slamming the Centre over the Covid-19 crisis, the Delhi High Court said if medicines and resources are diverted without application of mind, then "people will have blood on their hands".

Several critical remarks were made by a division bench of the High Court comprising Justices Vipin Sanghi and Rekha Palli while hearing a PIL in connection with the Covid-19 situation in Delhi. "We will be doomed" said the bench if medicines and resources are diverted without application of mind.

The court also questioned the Centre's decision to ban the use of oxygen for industrial purposes with effect from April 22. The bench said the need for oxygen is now and any delay will lead to loss of precious lives. "Why wait till April 22 to ban, why not immediately? People need oxygen now."

The High Court noted that if steps are not taken to augment the oxygen supply, then the country may see a bigger disaster. "First priority has to be to save lives", said the bench.