Coronavirus Mayhem: Private hospital owner seeks oxygen support, gets DM warning in return

Written by Sanchari Chattopadhyay Published On 2021-04-28T09:30:19+05:30 | Updated On 28 April 2021 5:41 PM IST

Coronavirus Mayhem: Private hospital owner seeks oxygen support, gets DM warning in return

New Delhi: Asking the authorities for help to battle the shortage of oxygen has backfired for a private hospital owner in Delhi after the authorities served him a notice instead of addressing the plea.

The doctor who owns the hospital had written to the district magistrate after their vendor refused to supply oxygen. However, when they raised the matter, rather than help, to their surprise, they were issued a show-cause notice.

The administration after receiving his complaint, gave him only 2 hours to take immediate actions to scale up the oxygen supply in the facility and also warned that if the directions are not followed necessary action will be taken against him under section 51 to 60 of the Disaster Management Act 2005, Section 188 of IPC, the Epidemic Act 1897, Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940 and other applicable laws.

Narrating the whole incident, the owner of Panchsheel Hospital told Medical Dialogues, "From 4 to 5 days oxygen was scarce in my hospital. I have 40 COVID beds in my facility and previously we needed 15 to 20 oxygen cylinders which have increased to 70 cylinders per day right now. Under such circumstances, I was unable to arrange the cylinders. Even the provider from Ghaziabad stated that he can't arrange oxygen. Hence, I informed the nodal officer and administration and I also submitted a letter accordingly to the authorities as advised by the nodal officer."

The doctor further added, "My hospital's oxygen consumption is 3 cylinders per hour. At about 3 o'clock, I got District Magistrate's notice where he stated that it is my hospital and my responsibility to arrange the oxygen, It also mentioned that if I cannot scale up the oxygen by 5 p.m. serious actions will be taken against me under the relevant sections of law. How can the administration threaten us like this? We are working day and night to handle the pandemic."

The doctor also informed that he has also responded to the notice and has informed the authorities that he has contacted that district administration for help after exhausting all the resources.

"After that, I have received another mail from them where they stated that they will be looking into the matter. However, they also told me to judiciously allow patients into the facility. I don't understand this is high time that administration should themselves arrange oxygen cylinders and distribute them in the local health care centres for the benefit of the public. If they ask us, doctors, to drive for two to four hours and arrange oxygen cylinders anyhow then who will be responsible for maintaining the hospital. I am seeking serious support for us healthcare workers and hospitals from the administration during these critical times."

In the notice issued by the District Magistrate, the authorities clarified that each designated COVID Hospital is required to keep a liquid oxygen supply for the peak oxygen demand based on which the daily oxygen allocation order is made by the Department of Health and Family Welfare.

The notice stated, "It has come to the notice that Panchsheel Hospital in district North East which is a designated COVID-19 hospital, has not been keeping adequate oxygen supply and therefore, the safety of the patients in the hospital is put to peril."

The authorities stated that this is a violation of the order of the competent authority regarding the use of oxygen in designated COVID-19 facilities. Hence, they directed the hospital "to immediately scale up the oxygen storage facilities and also added that in case, the hospital owner, failed to comply with the direction, he will have to face serious consequences."

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Sanchari Chattopadhyay

Sanchari Chattopadhyay has pursued her M.A in English and Culture Studies from the University of Burdwan, West Bengal. She likes observing cultural specificities and exploring new places.