Oxygen Crisis in Delhi hospital: Sources in AAP said the Centre has increased Delhi's oxygen quota
Delhi's oxygen quota was expanded by the Centre this evening amid a severe oxygen crisis in six hospitals with around 2,000 patients between them. Delhi has asked for states' cooperation on supply after instances of tankers being blocked.
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The Centre has increased Delhi's oxygen quota from 378 MT to 500 MT. Delhi has sought 700 MT for its current need, said sources in Delhi's ruling Aam Aadmi Party. The additional oxygen is expected to come from Odisha. "We welcome the hike, but even the 378 MT is not being fully met," a party leader said.
St Stephen's Hospital, Holy Family Hospital and Sir Irene Hospital said their supplies will last a few hours. Max Hospitals said two of their hospitals -- at Shalimar Bagh and Patparganj -- have supplies of two and three hours. The two hospitals between them have over 500 Covid patients. Late in the evening, the hospitals received supply.
Ganga Ram hospital, which weathered a huge oxygen crisis yesterday, fell short again today. The hospital said they have 5 hours of oxygen left for 58 patients.
Haryana has accused Delhi of "looting" an oxygen tanker that was on way to Faridabad and ordered police protection for its tankers. Health minister Anil Vij said, "We are being forced to give our oxygen to Delhi. First, we'll complete our needs, then give to others".
Asking states for cooperation, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said oxygen quota of every state is fixed by the Centre and no state can block oxygen. Hospitals cannot go chasing oxygen tankers, their job is to focus on patients, Mr Sisodia added.
Father George, the Director of Delhi's Holy Family Hospital, told NDTV they have supplies till evening for 400 patients on oxygen support. Their Faridabad-based supplier has refused to bring any more oxygen, citing "orders from above", he said. Mr Sisodia later said the matter has been resolved and the tanker is on way.
A doctor at St Stephen's hospital said they have 500 patients and only two hours of oxygen left. The oxygen, he said, is being held up at the Haryana border.
Indraprastha Apollo hospital also complained about disrupted oxygen supply and said its stocks can last only for 10 to 12 hours. The hospital has more than 350 Covid patients who are dependent on oxygen.
Delhi, struggling with a staggering Covid surge, has been flagging a serious shortage of oxygen. The government has told the Delhi High Court that oxygen supplier INOX was refusing to send supplies from its plants in Uttar Pradesh, saying it might create a law and order situation.
Yesterday, three key hospitals in Delhi were down to just hours' supply of oxygen. The list was headed by Max hospital and Ganga Ram hospital. GTB hospital had just four hours' supply, Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain tweeted hours later.
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