Updated on
Summary Patients are facing life threats due to reduced supply of processed oxygen to the hospitals.
In the Benazir Bhutto hospital, Rawalpindi at least five patients have lost their lives a couple of week ago due to non-availability of oxygen.A reliable source in the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) informed this scribe that number of serious patients are at high risk, as the supply of oxygen is fewer than demand.The source added that BOC gases company of Taxila supplies oxygen in the hospital through two different sources i.e. through cylinders and filling of a major tank as stock of the oxygen.The source said that the concerned department provides oxygen to wards through installed pipe lines from the major tank and cylinders have been used in case of shortage in supply from the source.It was informed to this news agency that on last Thursday the supply did not reach in the hospital, which caused serious problems for patients. The source said that reduction of oxygen supply was tackled through alternate source, i.e. through cylinders. “The supply reached late night at 1:00 AM, while it was supposed to reach by evening that day, “the source added.He said that the administration of the hospital time and again wrote to the company officials to provide oxygen on regular basis. The company officials replied in written that due to severe load shedding they are unable to keep up with the schedule of ensuring uninterrupted supply of oxygen.The source said that delay in supply would cause very serious circumstances in case of any disaster or to counter any untoward situation.Meanwhile, he demanded the Secretary Health and other concerned authorities to take immediate notice of the situation.“The administration of the hospital would not be responsible in case of any accident, the government should ensure uninterrupted oxygen supply to the hospitals”, the source said.
