RWAS organise oxygen machines for Covid fight
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We are working out a way that mild cases of Covid-19 can be managed at the community level.
nNEWDELHI: The residents’ welfare association (RWA) of Block E in Greater Kailash 1 placed an unusual order with a medical equipment dealer on Saturday morning —two oxygen concentrator machines and an oxygen cylinder on rent. The RWA decided to get the machines after a resident, Pawan Madhok, had a tough time getting his wife, who tested positive for Covid-19 earlier last week, admitted to a hospital after her oxygen saturation levels dropped to 80. The normal level is between 90-97, doctors said.
Madhok said, “She tested positive on June 2, and her oxygen levels were around 80. We went to three hospitals, but all of them turned us away. We only managed to get her admitted to a prifirst-cum-first-serve
DR SANDEEP SHARMA, resident of Safdarjung Enclave and president of IMA’S South Delhi chapter
vate hospital on June 6.”
Her struggles prompted the colony RWA to make arrangements for the concentrator.
Rajiv Kakria, a resident of the block, said, “There are reports on social media of people struggling to get admitted to hospitals in Delhi. The idea was to make available a back-up medical support system in case of an emergency, till the family could make arrangements for a hospital bed. The machine will be given on basis, and will be made available to a family for 24 hours in case of an emergency. There are doctors in the colony who are advising us.”
An oxygen concentrator removes nitrogen from the ambient air to enrich it with about 93% concentrated oxygen for patients in need of respiratory support,
While a machine costs between ₹50,000-70,000, one can be rented for ₹4,500-₹6,000 a month.
As reports of Covid-19 bed shortages in the city’s hospitals continue make their way around, despite the government’s moves to allay fears over the same, some RWAS across the city are exploring the possibility of making similar arrangements.
The RWA of Pocket 3 in Safdarjung Enclave has, for instance, placed order for around 20 oximeters, and are also making arrangements for a concentrator.
“We have asked for quotations from local suppliers after discussion with our members,” said Pankaj Aggarwal, president of the RWA.
Dr Sandeep Sharma, a resident of Safdarjung Enclave and president of Indian Medical Association’s South Delhi chapter, said, “We are working out a way that mild cases, which don’t require hospitalisation, can be managed at the community level.”
Local suppliers of oxygen concentrators and cylinders said there has been no sharp increase in their demand so far. But, chemists said the demand for oximeters has increased.
Sandeep Nangia, organising secretary of All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists, said oximeters were never in demand earlier. “Demand has gradually increasing at local pharmacies over the past week,” he said.
But pulmonary expert Dr JC Suri caution against administering Oxygen without medical supervision.
“If the oxygen saturation level is below 90, it means the person is sick and needs medical attention. The normal level is between 90-97. Below 80 can be life threatening. But oxygen should be administered under medical supervision,” said Dr Suri, former head of the department of pulmonary and critical care at Safdurjung hospital.
A senior Delhi government official said, “We are trying to resolve the issue related to beds in hospitals in private hospitals. We are trying to ensure real time updating of the application for availability of beds.”