Oxygen shortage at GMC, Jammu lives at risk

Northlines Correspondent| Jammu Tawi | Sep 13: Reports of intermittent oxygen supply at GMC Jammu have sparked panic and fear among patients and their family members. Victims’ families have confirmed that several patients are suffering due to shortage of oxygen the Hospital.

“Due to rampant increase in number of cases, the demand for oxygen has gone up by 4 to 5 in Jammu Region and the oxygen plant of GMC Jammu is not enough to cater to the sudden rise in demand,” a source said.

Hospital authorities are buying 400-500 cylinders from outside daily to meet the demand, however despite such efforts, several patients have reportedly been affected due to the shortage.

The effect is to such an extent that several victims succumbed due to erratic oxygen supply. A Victim’s family member alleged that 2 persons from their family died due to shortage of oxygen. Another one name withheld said, “the oxygen is not available all the time, thus putting the patients in grave danger”.

Pertinently, at least 32 high end ventilator supported beds in GMC Jammu are non-functional due to inadequate supply of oxygen.

Amid the crisis, a delegation of junior doctors of GMC Jammu met GMC Principal and apprised him of oxygen shortage issue. They appealed the administration to ensure uninterrupted oxygen supply.