Srinagar: A major tragedy was narrowly averted at the Jawaharlal Lal Nehru Memorial (JLNM) hospital when its oxygen plant stopped working for five minutes due to a power failure, leaving around 120 COVID-19 patients gasping for air as their oxygen saturation levels dropped.
Dr. Bilques Shah, the designated Covid Nodal officer at JLNM hospital in Rainawari told The Wire that there was a technical snag in the supply of oxygen at around 11:20 am which was rectified in a timely manner. “However, there was panic and chaos as we had around 120 patients on oxygen support – eight of which were in the ICU – and their saturation level was at 60. There was fear that we would lose them had the supply stopped for some more time.”
Questioned about why the oxygen supply had not been connected to the auto generator in case of a power failure, the doctor said that the mechanical wing and central heating division take care of the oxygen supply for the hospital.
“Patients who are on the oxygen support have less time if oxygen supply is interrupted, thankfully we were able to stabilise all the patients,” says the doctor.
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According to those present at the hospital at the time of the incident, there was panic as patients started gasping for the breath when the oxygen supply came to a halt. “It seemed as if no one would survive if the oxygen supply had stopped for more time,” said an eyewitness, who blamed the hospital administration for the near tragedy.
The Valley is witnessing a surge in COVID-19 cases, with total case load mounting to 2,20,546, which includes 49,951 active cases, 167,813 recoveries and 2,782 deaths. According to the media bulletin on COVID-19 issued by the Government of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, 3,614 new positive cases were reported on Monday on May 10, including 56 COVID-19 deaths, out of which 39 were from the Jammu division and 17 from the Kashmir Division.
The Wire spoke to Divisional Commissioner Kashmir P.K. Pole, about the issue. He said that the oxygen plant at the JLNM hospital was in the process of inception and that its operational mode has been switched to auto mode now. Further manpower has also been deputed at the oxygen plant, he said.
Jahangir Sofi is a journalist based in Srinagar and can be reached on Twitter @SofiJahangir3
