SMS hospital to have its own oxygen plant

state’s largest government-run Sawai Man Singh Hospital has been put on alert following the Gorakhpur incident where 30 children died in two days due to stoppage of supply of oxygen over a payment dispute.

Hospital superintendent Dr DS Meena on Saturday visited the oxygen plant and took stock of the situation.

Speaking to Hindustan Times, Meena said “The supply of oxygen cylinders is taken from the market, but the oxygen plant in the hospital is controlled by the staff.”

State health minister Kali Charan Saraf on Friday, reviewing the development projects at the SMS Medical College and Hospital and other associated hospitals in Jaipur, directed officials to ensure that there is sufficient supply of oxygen, storage facilitiesandseweragetreatment plants in the hospitals along with adequate parking space for vehicles.

“After the Gorakhpur incident and following the directions of the minister, we will float a tender to set up a liquid oxygen plant in the hospital itself,” said Meena.

There are 700-800 beds in the hospital fitted with oxygen supply for patients, he said.

Half a dozen hospitals are associated with the SMS Medical College and Hospital and there are more than 500 beds in these hospitals where oxygen is supplied.

Dr Narendra Gupta of Jan Swasthya Abhiyan said there is protocol for taking stock of oxygen cylinders and all hospitals should follow it, which is usually violated. The protocol states that stock of oxygen cylinders should be maintained and that the cylinders are properly stored.