Oxygen shortage at Goa’s apex hospital claims 13 more lives; 75 dead in just 4 days

The lousy response of Goa’s State government to the oxygen shortage at Goa’s largest Covid facility continues to claim more lives during the ‘dark hours’, 75 dead in just 4 days.

In a heart wrenching incident on Friday, thirteen more covid patients have died in the “critical dark hours” between 2 and 6 am at the Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Goa’s apex government hospital.

This unfortunate incident comes just days after the last incident on Thursday, where 15 deaths were recorded due to the drop in oxygen levels, as per reports.

So far, 75 patients have succumbed to the virus because of logistic “issues” in the supply of medical oxygen, as claimed by the hospital, in just a span of four days.

The series of sleepless nights for the patients started on Tuesday, when 26 patients died, 20 on Wednesday, and another 15 deaths on Thursday at the same facility.

A video showcasing the pathetic condition of the hospital grabbed many eyeballs, the video shows patients sleeping on mattresses and with oxygen monitors beeping the background. The video also shows debris of used food packets and other waste piled in a corner of the ward, spilling out of garbage bags.

Vijai Sardesai, the state former Deputy Chief Minister and Goa Forward Party President, reacting to the unfortunate incidents, said “There is a complete collapse of governance. In spite of HC intervention, deaths are happening at this dark hour. Rather than the government, HC should rule Goa because government is doing nothing other than photo ops and filing cases against those who expose them.”

While hearing PILs related to oppose Covid management and shoddy oxygen management, the Bombay HC grilled a number of government agencies, but the spate of deaths didn’t stop. 

The Goa government on Thursday told the HC that during the process of attaching the oxygen manifold there was some interruption, which results in fall of pressure in the supply lines of oxygen to patients.

The Goa State government on Friday appointed a committee to inquire about the oxygen supply issues, ascertain the adequacy of oxygen supply and give recommendations for its improvement and recommend improvement in the complete chain of oxygen delivery at GMC. The committee is expected to submit a report within three days.

The fact of the matter is, by the time High courts and Supreme Court push the governments to act, it is too late for many, and the onus of these deaths are on the governments.