ZHRF sends SOS to CM, seeks oxygen
Source: The Sangai Express

CCpur, May 08 2021: With the rapid surge in the number of COVID-19 cases and increa-sing severity of the disease, the Zomi Human Rights Foundation has sent SOS to Chief Minister N Biren Singh requesting him to provide sufficient life-saving medical oxygen to Churachandpur District Hospital.

Even as the second wave of Covid ravages across the country, many States are reportedly facing shortage of medical oxygen and beds.

Meanwhile, it is learnt that the District Hospital Churachandpur has about 29 B and D-Type Oxygen cylinders.

As Covid cases surge in the district, the available oxygen cylinders would not be sufficient to meet the demand, said the forum.

Moreover, there is "acute" shortage of nurses, Grade-IV staff and the Covid related medical appliances in the district hospital, it said in a statement.

Urging the Chief Minister to increase the number of medical oxygen cylinders in the hospital to at least 40, the forum also appealed the Government to complete the oxygen plant being set up at the hospital and increase its capacity to 500 LPM.

There are only two ventilators available at the hospital.

The hospital should have a minimum of 10 ventilators.

Further, there is an urgent need to increase the number of pulse oximeters to at least 50, it said.

To effectively face the pandemic, the hospital needs adequate numbers of nurses and staff.

If immediate and urgent remedial steps are not taken, the district hospital in its current form will not be in a position to tackle the needs and requirements of the ever-mounting number of Covid patients who need hospitalization, said the forum.

Meanwhile, Director General of Police, LM Khaute visited the hospital and inspected the infrastructure being set up there to house an oxygen plant.

Sources said the oxygen plant is to be airlifted from New Delhi once the house being set up is completed.

A readiness certificate which is a prerequisite for airlifting the plant has already been arranged.

Sources said the oxygen plant is likely to be completed before May 15 and it will be connected to the isolation ward.

Later in the day, the local administration is also said to have taken stock of the oxygen situation in the district with top health officials.

The district administration has decided to increase the frequency of refilling oxygen cylinders and also obtain them from private vendors to avoid any shortage before the proposed oxygen plant comes live.

Comment