104 O2 cylinders went ‘missing’ in second wave
VENDOR DID NOT RETURN CYLINDERS, PATIENTS’ ATTENDANTS STOLE SOME, SAY OFFICIALS
GHAZIABAD: Over 100 oxygen cylinders meant for Covid-19 patients were allegedly stolen from Sanjay Nagar District Combined Hospital (SNDCH) during the peak of the second wave of the pandemic, officials said. Police have booked some unidentified persons based on a complaint from the hospital and an investigation is underway.
The hospital treated patients with moderate Covid-19 symptoms and had used 60 oxygen cylinders per day between April 11 and May 11 this year when the second wave of infections was at its peak, according to officials.
“On June 8, 2021, our nursing staff said that 104 oxygen cylinders,
including 82 D-type and 22 B-type, went missing from the hospital. We formed a committee of five officers immediately to probe it. It also came to light that an oxygen supply vendor had not returned 49 oxygen cylinders, after refilling and
patients’ attendants allegedly took away the rest amid the mad rush in the hospital ... We have decided to not pay ₹3 lakh that is due to the vendor,” said Dr Sanjay Teotia, chief medical superintendent (CMO), SNDCH.
“We have hospital markings on our oxygen cylinders and are numbered. Following the FIR, the oxygen vendor returned 49 old and worn-out oxygen cylinders without our marking,” he added. The other 55 cylinders are still missing.
The hospital filed a police complaint on Thursday (August 26), and an FIR was lodged against unidentified persons under Indian Penal Code (IPC) section 380 (theft) the same day at the Madhuban Bapudham police station. The hospital authorities have also written a letter to additional chief secretary (health), director general (medical health), divisional health officials and district officials on the matter.
“During the second Covid-19 wave, the hospital was equipped with CCTVS, and common people were also abstained from entering the premises. The oxygen cylinder stock and other equipment are the responsibility of the hospital. If they suspect that attendants of patients were stealing oxygen cylinders, they should have reported the incident immediately. The incident will be investigated thoroughly,” said a senior health department official, requesting anonymity.
Nipun Agarwal, superintendent of police (city 1), said, “We have lodged an FIR based on a complaint filed by the hospital authorities. We will investigate the case thoroughly.”
The 100-bed hospital recently installed two new oxygen plants of 150 litres per minute (LPM) and 500 LPM, with centralised oxygen supply.