Andhra Pradesh: 16 Covid patients die due to ‘low’ oxygen pressure | Hyderabad News - Times of India
TIRUPATI: In two separate shocking incidents, 16 Covid-19 patients died for alleged want of oxygen supply in Anantapur and Kurnool cities in Andhra Pradesh on Saturday. While 11 patients died at the Covid-19 ward of Anantapur government general hospital reportedly due to low pressure in oxygen pipeline, five others died at a private hospital in Kurnool.
According to Anantapur joint collector Nishanth Kumar, 21 Covid-19 patients died at the Anantapur GGH since Friday due to “various reasons”. He, however, did not elaborate what the “various reasons” are. But, the relatives of the deceased told mediapersons that doctors of the GGH had themselves confirmed that there was a low pressure in the oxygen supply system, which resulted in the high mortality.
GGH doctors maintained during interaction with local mediapersons that there were some technical glitches in the oxygen supply system which are being rectified by a technical team from Chennai.
On the other hand, Anantapur district collector G Chandrudu said there was no shortage of oxygen in the district. But following complaints of low pressure, the entire pipeline was thoroughly checked. “Oxygen supply related complaints are being attended to and being sorted out,” he said.
“The deaths are not due to shortage of oxygen,” said principal secretary, health, Anil Kumar Singhal.
YSRCP legislator Ananta Venkatrami Reddy visited the Anantapur GGH and interacted with doctors and patients.
Later, he told media that while the hospital management said there was no shortage of oxygen supply, relatives of the deceased alleged that the deaths were due to oxygen glitches. “We are ordering an inquiry and if medical negligence is found, we will take action,” he said.
Earlier in the day, five Covid-19 patients died at a private hospital in Kurnool on Saturday allegedly for want of oxygen supply. The hospital has set up a Covid-19 care centre without the requisite permission of the state government. The managing director of the hospital was arrested for flouting rules. District authorities have ordered an inquiry into the deaths and registered a case against the management of the hospital. Officials said the hospital is ill-equipped to deal with emergency Covid-19 cases.
According to officials, the hospital admitted five Covid-19 patients from Kadapa district in the last one week. They died one after another on Saturday. Relatives alleged that the hospital management failed to provide oxygen to the patients resulting in their death.
Veerapandian and Kurnool district superintendent of police Kaginelli Fakeerappa visited the hospital and interacted with the relatives of the dead patients. “We have arrested the managing directors of two private hospitals in the city for flouting rules and endangering lives of patients.We appeal to the public to take note and get admitted only in the authorised private hospitals or at government-run Covid-19 care facilities in the district,” Veerapandian said.