- Disruption in Oxygen supply
- Delay in oxygen tanker from Perumbadur, Tamil Nadu
- Bigger tragedy averted as oxygen tanker arrived in nick of time
Tirupati: Tragedy occurred at Ruia hospital in Tirupathi due to disruption in oxygen supply resulting in the death of 11 patients in ICU. As per District Collector Hari Narayan, oxygen tanker which was coming from Chennai has been delayed which resulted in the demise of the patients. Eleven patients died and five others were in critical condition. In the mean time, authorities used bulk cylinders to supply oxygen for the patients who are on ventilators in ICU.
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“Incident occurred at around 8-8.30 pm. Due to oxygen pressure issues, 11 patients who are on ventilator support lost their lives. It all happened in a span of five minutes, the oxygen tanker arrived and the situation was quickly brought under control,” the collector told media persons. The collector clarified that it was not a technical issue and all are safe now and there was enough oxygen and another tanker is scheduled to arrive on Tuesday morning.
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AP Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy ordered an inquiry into the incident and expressed grief over the death of 11 patients. “This kind of tragedies should not recur and oxygen supply should be monitored at every hospital in the state round the clock and should take technical help if needed and the focus should also be on maintenance and not merely on oxygen transportation and supply” CM said. Nealry 600 oxygen beds are in the hospital and supply was disrupted in one of the wards when authorities were trying to supply oxygen using bulk cylinders. Relatives of patients were enraged throwing medicines and bottles inside hospital. This led to a tense situation for few minutes. Doctors’ efforts saved lives of many and situation was brought under control soon after the oxygen supply was restored. Police personnel were rushed to the hospital to prevent any untoward incidents.
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