O2 supply improves, but still not enough

LUCKNOW : Increased supply of oxygen has brought some relief for hospitals in the state capital, particularly the Covid facilities running the services with the help of oxygen cylinders, but the stock is still at a crucial level and needs to be replenished frequently.

“We require about 100 cylinders daily and the supply after being restored is about 15 to 20 cylinders from today (Monday). This is just enough to manage emergency cases for half a day. Hence, it needs to be doubled up at least to manage emergency only,” said manager of a hospital located in Alambagh.

With supply getting restored according to the demand, many hospitals, which were to start admitting Covid patients, are not utilising the infrastructure fully. Some hospitals are taking admission with a warning if there arises a scarcity of the medical oxygen the attendants will have to manage it at personal level.

“The supply has improved but not up to the requirement which has gone manifold with serious Covid and pneumonia patients getting admitted. They need high flow of oxygen,” said a doctor.

Medical superintendent, Lok Bandhu Hospital, Dr Ajay Shankar Tripathi said, “We have deployed three vehicles for getting oxygen cylinders filled and the supply is better now.” The supply has also improved at Balrampur hospital—another Covid facility in the district.

Private Covid facilities too are awaiting the supply to improve. The major Covid facilities KGMU, PGI and Lohia institute have liquid oxygen tank facility. “We maintain stock between 5 and 7 days and order for refill is placed 72 hours before the gas comes to its lowest level,” said Dr Sandip Tiwari, HoD, trauma surgery, KGMU, who is looking after the liquid oxygen stock on the campus.

However, the problem for non-Covid hospitals hasn’t come to an end. “I have 5 jumbo cylinders of which two are empty. Attempts to get them refilled have not worked as liquid oxygen stock was poor with two agencies that fill cylinders,” said Dr Anoop Agrawal, an orthopaedic surgeon.