At least 13 more patients died at the Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) in the early hours of Friday, a day after 15 coronavirus patients had succumbed at the same facility in Panaji.
Thirteen people died between 2 am and 6 am on Friday at the Goa hospital after oxygen levels once again dropped in Covid ward, as per reports.
With 75 people dead so far due to a dip in oxygen levels at GMCH in Goa in four days, state authorities continue to blame “logistical issues” for the fatalities.
The horror at the GMCH is continuing even as the Goa bench of the Bombay High Court is hearing petitions related to deaths during the “dark hours” at the premier hospital.
While the state government has not revealed the exact cause of recent deaths at the GMCH, it has told the HC that there were “logistic issues” related to supply of medical oxygen to patients.
The senior official confirmed that 13 more patients, admitted in various COVID-19wards in the GMCH, died during the wee hours of Friday.
The number of patients who have died during the “dark hours (between 2 am and 6 am) at the hospital has touched 75 in the last four days.
As per state government statistics, 26 patients had died at the GMCH during the wee hours of Tuesday, followed by 21 on Wednesday, 15 on Thursday and 13 on Friday (total 75).
Inquiry committee to complete probe in 3 days
The state government on Friday appointed a committee to inquire about the ongoing oxygen supply issues at the top Goa hospital.
The three-member committee will ascertain the adequacy of oxygen supply to GMC, ascertain the efficiency of the oxygen supply chain, examine the process of administration of oxygen at GMC, and give recommendations for its improvement and recommend improvement in the complete chain of oxygen delivery at GMC.
Hearing at Bombay High Court
The HC is hearing a bunch of petitions on recent death of COVID-19 patients at the GMCH allegedly due to lack of medical oxygen.
On Thursday, Advocate General Devidas Pangam had told a bench of Justices Nitin Sambre and Mahesh Sonak that there were logistical issues involved in maneuvering the tractor which carries the trolleys of oxygen and in connecting the cylinders to the manifold (group of large gas cylinders),”which results in fall of pressure in the supply lines of oxygen to patients.”
“We were explained that during this process there was some interruption, which resulted in fall of pressure in the supply lines of oxygen to the patients
“It was pointed out that it is basically on account of these factors some casualties may have taken place,” the bench had said.
“We expect the state administration to find out ways and means to overcome these logistical issues so that precious life is not lost on account of any deficiencies in the matter of supply of oxygen to patients,” the HC had said.
Reacting to the deaths, Goa Forward Party president Vijai Sardesai said the high court should “take over the affairs of the state as there is collapse of governance”
It is painful to observe the callous attitude of persons required to ensure uninterrupted supply of medical oxygen to the wards.This is act of criminal negligence and should not go unpunished.
Report – Vikas Chandra Agrawal