Karnataka Oxygen Shortage: The deaths were reported at the hospital in Chamarajanagar.
Highlights
- There was a fall in oxygen supply between 12 am to 2 am on Sunday night
- At least 144 patients are being treated at the hospital, an official said
- Chief Minister Yediyurappa called an emergency Cabinet meeting tomorrow
The Karnataka government has ordered an inquiry after 24 patients died at a government hospital on Sunday night. The deaths were reported at the hospital in Chamarajanagar allegedly after the oxygen supply dropped. At least 144 patients are being treated at the hospital.
"My boy had recovered 75%. If there had been an oxygen cylinder he could have been saved," said Lokesh.
Another such relative, Rajanna, said he received a distress call from his nephew at midnight. "He called me around 12 o'clock saying there was no oxygen. Please see what you can do. When we came here immediately, they didn't allow any of us in. When we called again, there was no reply. That meant he was gone. He died because of lack of oxygen".
23 out of the 24 patients were being treated for Covid.
Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa has appointed IAS officer Shivayogi Kalasad to investigate the deaths of the 23 patients. The report into the deaths has to be submitted to the government within three days.
Mysuru MP, Pratap Simha, said, "Last night, when media people drew my attention to the situation of oxygen shortage in Chamarajnagar district, I myself contacted Deputy Commissioner (DC) Dr MR Ravi and took a conference call with ADC who is in charge of oxygen. At night itself I contacted Southern Gas and they provided 15 cylinders. Before that also we had given from the quota. Despite all this, this sad incident occurred. Chamarajnagar is not some far away place. We feel it is part of us. We are part of their sorrow."
Dr. Ashwathnarayan C N, the Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, tweeted:
The district has recorded a total of 11,928 cases of COVID-19 infection since the beginning of the pandemic in January 2020. At least 167 people have died since then due to the virus.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, in a tweet, hit out at the state government over its handling of the crisis.
The All India Congress Committee general secretary and Karnataka in-charge, Randeep Singh Surjewala demanded the arrest of the Health Minister. "This is murder by designed negligence of Yediyurappa Govt ! The Health Minister must resign. Will CM Yediyurappa ji own moral responsibility for the deaths?" Mr Surjewala tweeted.
Congress Karnataka chief DK Shivakumar said the government is only interested in publicity and does not take any responsibility.
Several hospitals across the country have been reporting a shortage of oxygen, with many patients losing lives due to this.
Karnataka reported 37,733 fresh COVID-19 cases, 21,149 recoveries, and 217 deaths in the past 24 hours. The number of active cases in the state stands at 4,21,436 with 11,64,398 recoveries.