On-off statement on 'oxygen shortage' leaves many confused
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 30 2021: The State may face a "grim COVID-19 situation" due to lack of medical oxygen in days to come if the number of COVID-19 cases continues to surge, reflects two notifications, issued back to back by the Regional Institute of Medical Science (RIMS) Imphal today.

Hours after issuing an order suspending routine operations of all Department citing "acute shortage of oxygen", RIMS issued a statement clarifying that the order was issued due to an "oversight" .

The first two liner order of the institute issued by its Medical Superintendent said, "Due to acute shortage of Oxygen and in view of the increasing number of COVID-19 patients in the Hospital, routine operation of all the Departments of RIMS shall be cancelled wef 1st May, 2021 until further order.

The patients in particular and public in general are requested to bear with us".

The later statement of the institute then clarified that "the previous order was issued just to give emphasis on heavy consumption of medical oxygen due to increase in number of COVID-19 severe patients admitted in RIMS hospital and the need to preserve adequate oxygen for COVID-19 patients.

The earlier order issued due to an oversight is regretted and is hereby withdrawn" .

Notably, this comes days after Chief Minister N Biren Singh said there is enough stock of medical oxygen in the State.

The Chief Minister made the statement on April 24, when he was distributing ambulances to Chief Medical Officers.

He had said that the State at that time had 1,098 D-Type cylinders, 242 oxygen concentrator machines, according to a report of the DIPR (Directorate of Information and Public Relations) .

During a programme yesterday, the Chief Minister had informed that the Centre has provided 400 oxygen concentrators and 500 D-Type oxygen cylinders.

He had said that the State has 3000 D-Type cylinders.

Meanwhile, a source at RIMS said there were more than 162 COVID-19 patients at the hospital yesterday.

With increasing number of COVID-19 patients at the hospital, admission of non-Covid and OPD patients may be reduced.

The ongoing MD examination will be completed in a few days and after this, COVID-19 wards may be expanded.

Respiratory Department and others may be used to admit COVID-19 patients, added the source.

It may be noted here that the number of COVID-19 infections and casualties due to the disease in the State has spiked in the last few days.

Some medical experts, The Sangai Express spoke to said the State may face a "grim" COVID-19 situation if preventive and control measures are not put in place in time.

The experts emphasised that Manipur may face a "Delhi like situation", if it is not prepared.

Notably, Delhi and some other States are facing acute shortage of medical oxygen and there have been reports that hospitals are not admitting Covid patients due to lack of oxygen and beds.

The experts noted that the two subsequent orders of the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) show the vulnerability of the State healthcare system in facing the pandemic of this scale.

if such is the situation of one of the largest hospitals in the State when there is some 1,225 active cases, the future looks "grim", they said.

Observing the present trend of Covid infections in other States, the number of Covid cases in Manipur may rise.

The Government should anticipate this to prepare better.

Now is a very crucial time for the State to manage and keep enough stock of medical oxygen and increase oxygen production.

If the State continues to report daily fresh infections in 3 digits, hospitals may soon run out of medical oxygen and face shortage of beds, said the experts.

"The State should replenish and expand its medical supplies and reactivate Covid care centres".

They also noted that the State Government should maintain proper data of infections, re-infections (before and after vaccinations), deaths and make them available for study and research to better understand the trend of infection and the situation.

Meanwhile, to ensure uninterrupted and adequate supply of medical oxygen, an order of the Deputy Commissioner, Imphal East has put a ban on supply of oxygen for non medical purposes with immediate effect until further orders.

It directed the HVS Oxygen Plant, Patsoi to stop supply of oxygen for nonmedical purposes and help in augmenting oxygen supply for medical purposes.

It should also furnish daily report on production, supply and balance of oxygen.

Free movement of oxygen carrying vehicles to hospitals and clinics will be allowed by all concerned without any restriction, said the order.

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