Low oxygen supply blamed for 3 infant deaths in MP

Three children have died in a government-run hospital on Sunday night after disruption in oxygen supply. The oxygen pressure at the B.R. Ambedkar Hospital started falling on Sunday night, leading to panic as patients complained of uneasiness. Attending doctors and nurses on duty promptly reported the matter to Chief Medical Officer Anil Baghel, who rushed to the oxygen supply plant to investigate the matter.

On reaching the plant, Baghel found operator on duty Ravi Chandra drunk and incapacitated. When Baghel tried to wake him up, Chandra started quarrelling and seeing no way out, the CMO lodged a complaint with the police against Chandra, who was arrested.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh expressed grief over the death of the three children and told the health department officials to probe the tragedy. According to informed sources, at least 30 sick children were admitted in the hospital's children's ward of whom ten were on ventilator. Three who were in a critical condition passed away due to the low oxygen supply.

Health Commissioner R. Prasanna, however, claimed that the deaths didn't occur due to oxygen supply. He said: "Although oxygen pressure had dropped on Sunday night, the supply never got discontinued. The issue of pressure was also fixed without much delay. "The children didn't die due to lack of oxygen. They were already in critical condition," hospital super Vivek Chowdhary said. -IANS