UP govt denies deaths due to oxygen shortage

LUCKNOW: The state government on Friday denied that the deaths at BRD Medical College in Gorakhpur happened due to shortage of oxygen.

According to reports, 31 children died allegedly due to lack of oxygen, as the private firm that supplied the gas stopped supply because of non-clearance of outstanding dues of Rs 70 lakh.

In a statement, a state government spokesperson, however, said the death of seven patients in the medical college happened on August 11 (Friday) due to various medical reasons/illnesses. He stated that alternate arrangements for oxygen supply were made and there were over 150 gas cylinders with the college at present too.

Health minister Siddharthnath Singh said the incident did not look to be a case of shortage of oxygen supply. “What the media has reported does not look the same to us. A final picture will be clear after a report on it comes,” he said. “The DM has contradicted the reports about the deaths due to shortage of oxygen. Now let’s wait for the final report,” Singh said. Meanwhile, director general, medical education, Dr KK Gupta has rushed to Gorakhpur to inquire about the incident. He denied reports that oxygen supply was stopped. “The gas supply was not stopped as the BRD Medical College has a gas plant, as well,” Gupta said.

Gupta claimed that seven deaths had been reported from the medical college and majority of them were due to illnesses. “Shortage of gas does not seem to be the cause of the deaths,” he added.

What the media has reported does not look the same to us. A final picture will be clear after a report on it (deaths) comes SIDDHARTHNATH SINGH , health minister