NEW DELHI: There is tragedy unfolding at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. As many as 25 Covid-19 patients, who were said to be in the “sickest” category, died in the last 24 hours at one of the biggest private hospitals in the national capital.
The hospital said 60 other critical patients are at risk. The crisis came amid a severe oxygen shortage in the national capital’s hospitals.
In an SOS statement, the hospital on Friday morning said lives of 60 critical patients were in peril and that the oxygen will last only for another two hours. An oxygen tanker arrived at the hospital after around two hours at 9.20 a.m.
“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 in peril,” said Ganga Ram Hospitals Director in a statement.
Although the hospital did not clearly mention the reason for the death of so many patients, it said, “Catastrophe… Need oxygen to be airlifted urgently. Governments please help.” Sources said the “low oxygen concentration” could be a likely cause of deaths, adding “critical patients need high pressure oxygen supply.”
Dr S Rana, Chairman of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, said, “I would not attribute the deaths to a shortage of oxygen. There are many patients in a serious condition. However, we are facing a severe oxygen shortage and are resorting to manual ventilation to ensure a patient survives.”
Around 500 Covid patients are currently admitted in Ganga Ram Hospital and 150 are on high oxygen support.
Besides, SRGH, several private hospitals in the national capital are facing oxygen shortage. Many took to social media for help and many others said they would avoid hospitals as they are out of oxygen supply.
There were still others who requested the relatives of patients and government to shift the patients to other facilities. “The Indian Spinal Injuries Centre, Vasant Kunj, with 160 Covid patients is left with another hour of oxygen. We have been waiting for the supply since last night, but no luck. Please help,” tweeted ISIC.
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13 COVID patients die in maharashtra hospital blaze
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Forced to reduce beds
For want of oxygen, some hospitals have reduced beds for Covid patients. At the premier Rajiv Gandhi Super Specialty Hospital, the figure came down to 350 from 500
Some hospitals have made short-term arrangements with the help of Delhi Police. But even then, their oxygen will not last long. The Delhi government has appealed to the Centre for help