Covid-19 patients at home in Okhla struggle to get oxygen as Delhi gasps for oxygen

Please do something as I need an oxygen cylinder on very urgent basis. This message landed in the OT inbox at 10:30 pm this morning. This is not the only message that has been doing in the virtual world since the Covid-19 2nd wave infected many people in India with Delhi logging the biggest spike of new 28,395 coronavirus cases and a positivity rate of over 32 per cent in the last 24 hours, according to the data released by the Delhi Government’s health department on Tuesday evening.

The struggle for Okhla residents to get oxygen cylinder for their loved ones is intense like in Delhi. Ahmed said he bought oxygen cylinder for Rs 15,000 for his father who tested Covid positive a few days ago. He said in normal days the same cylinder is available for Rs 8,000. But not all are as lucky as Ahmed.

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How serious is the oxygen crisis in Delhi can be known from the acceptance of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who in a press conference a day ago said: “Serious oxygen crisis persists in Delhi. I again urge the Center to urgently provide oxygen to Delhi. Some hospitals are left with just a few hours of oxygen.”

Kejriwal on Tuesday raised serious concerns over acute oxygen shortage across various Covid-19 facilities in Delhi.

He urged the Center to urgently provide oxygen to Delhi since some hospitals are left with just a few hours of oxygen.

Kejriwal also convened a review meeting today, wherein he directed the officials to increase oxygen beds across several facilities in Delhi.

He said the Delhi government is working on a war footing to ensure oxygen supply in Delhi.

Dy CM Manish Sisodia said there should be no jungle raj between the states on the supply of oxygen, for this, the central government will have to be very sensitive and alert.

Dy CM and Nodal Minister Manish Sisodia, Health Minister Satyendar Jain, Additional Chief Secretary, and Health Secretary were also present in the meeting along with health officials.

Kejriwal tweeted: “Had a review meeting with officials on the current situation of corona. We are working on a war footing to ensure oxygen supply in Delhi, and are also talking to the central government. An increase in the number of oxygen beds is happening on a large scale.”

In another tweet, he wrote: “Serious oxygen crisis persists in Delhi. I again urge the Center to urgently provide oxygen to Delhi. Some hospitals are left with just a few hours of oxygen.”

Taking to social media, Dy CM and Nodal Minister for Covid-19 management tweeted: “SOS phones are coming from all hospitals regarding oxygen. People supplying oxygen are being stopped in different States. There should be no jungle raj between the states on the supply of oxygen, for this, the Central Government will have to be very sensitive and alert.”

Kejriwal said: “Our main focus is on increasing the number of oxygen beds in Delhi. Most patients are coming in a critical condition and require oxygen. We must put all efforts towards increasing oxygen beds across all hospitals and facilities in Delhi.”

Secondly, the Delhi government is procuring oxygen cylinders from Noida and Rajasthan, and the supply is stopped in various states before it reaches Delhi. The Delhi government is in talks with the Central government and has requested the Centre to ensure a smooth and timely supply and procurement of oxygen to Delhi.

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