Oxygen Shortage Leaves 24 Patients Dead At A Hospital In Karnataka; District In-Charge Orders Inquiry

Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa has spoken to Chamarajanagar district collector over the incident and called an emergency Cabinet meeting tomorrow.

Image Source (ANI)

Bengaluru: On Monday, District Incharge Minister Suresh Kumar said 24 patients including COVID-19 patients, died at Chamarajanagar District Hospital due to oxygen shortage among others reasons in last 24 hours. 

Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa has spoken to Chamarajanagar district collector over the incident and called an emergency Cabinet meeting tomorrow.

According to a TOI report, Chamarajnagar deputy commissioner Dr M R Ravi said that 12 of the deceased died due to oxygen shortage while the others have succumbed to various comorbidities and underlying medical conditions. 

Meanwhile, Kumar said they have sought a death audit report which is expected this afternoon after which they will initiate action against those responsible for the deaths. He  further added that most of the patients came to the hospital at the last minute and that they did not get required oxygen supply on time from Mysuru.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the oxygen supplies to the district hospital was diverted to nearby Mysuru. However, it is still not clear as who ordered for diverting the cylinder-supply from Chamarajnagar to Mysuru.

The TOI report further stated, that an alert was sounded on Sunday evening to the district administration about the imminent danger when the hospital realised that it would soon run out of oxygen, but nothing was done to augment supplies on time, said a hospital staff member.

Chamrajnagar District Incharge Minister S Suresh Kumar has ordered inquiry into the death of 24 patients at the district hospital and said, "strict action will be taken against those who are responsible for the shortage of oxygen supply to the hospital."

On Monday, India reported 3,68,147 new cases, 3,00,732 discharges, and 3,417 deaths in the last 24 hours, as per Union Health Ministry records.