DON’T PRESCRIBE LIQUID OXYGEN TO PATIENTS IN HOME ISOLATION, GOVT TELLS DOCTORS

The Punjab health department has asked doctors not to prescribe medical oxygen to patients in home isolation amid surge in Covid-19 cases and huge demand forliquid oxygen in hospitals across the state.

Principal secretary, health and family welfare, Hussan Lal, said in view of the increase in number of patients requiring oxygen support in Covid care facilities, the demand for medical oxygen has increased and the state is ensuring availability of medical oxygen to all the patients in government and private hospitals.

“It has been observed that some of the doctors are prescribing medical oxygen to patients at home. This is not advisable,” the order reads. Lal confirmed the development, reiterating that no doctor shall prescribe medical oxygen to patients in home isolation.

Some activists and doctors are of the opinion that the new order may create problems for patients who are recovering from Covid-19 at home, besides patients of asthma, heart and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) needing oxygen.

Swaranjit Singh an activist from Sangrur said, “Though the rich people are trying to store medical oxygen, it is the responsibility of the government to supply oxygen to the needy. The government hospitals are being run with inadequate arrangements and the private hospitals are exploiting the patients. The government should also put a cap on private hospitals.”

ACTIVISTS SAY THE NEW ORDER MAY CREATE PROBLEMS FOR PATIENTS WHO ARE RECOVERING FROM COVID-19 AT HOME