Deaths due to oxygen deficiency deplorable: Rana

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Sept 23: National Conference Provincial President Devender Singh Rana today expressed anguish and dismay over acute deficiency of oxygen in Government Medical College here, saying this has emerged as an extreme cause of concern due to increased deaths in recent days.
“Maintenance of oxygen supplies and functional ventilators are main components to fight corona virus besides various other ailments of serious nature”, Rana said in a statement, adding that the overstatements by those at the helm cannot change the grim situation on ground. Concrete immediate measures need to be taken, that too on an immediate basis to steer out the hospitals to functional mode instead of remaining in deplorable condition due to deficiencies, he said.
The Provincial President said that someone in the administration will have to explain why corrective measures have not been taken so far as the deficiency of oxygen has been flagged at appropriate levels overwhelmingly. The statements issued by the hospital management from time to time lack credibility and are contrary to the obtaining situation in the health facilities. This has to be attended to at the top level as the patient care cannot be compromised, he said.
He referred to the reports of death in the GMC and said this has led to avoidable panic among the people who are nurturing a feeling of abandonment. The
Government in general and the health administration in particular must come out with facts and figures about the status of indoor patients. This will clear the misgivings, if any, and instill confidence among the people about health facilities; he said adding that these are the administrative measures which should be addressed on war footing. He, however, lauded the efforts being put in by the doctors, paramedics, technicians and other support staff in meeting the challenge by COVID-19.
“The doctors, the para-medics, the police and security forces, the civic workers and the employees manning essential services have risen to the occasion and left an indelible mark of their selfless service at the peril of their lives and that of their families during these most testing times”, Rana said, adding that it is because of their tireless efforts that vast majority of the people see a ray of hope about their wellbeing. He said these heroes are really working against the time by giving their best as saviours of humanity.
“We don’t only salute these frontline warriors but their families as well who have emerged as a source of inspiration by remaining steadfast in this fight against the disease”, Rana said and hoped that the administration will not allow their efforts go waste due to infrastructural shortcomings.
He also urged the administration to make available all necessary wherewithal’s like personal protection gears, masks etc for reducing the level of risk among the warriors especially the doctors and paramedics.