Only Punjab Reported 4 Suspected Deaths Due To Oxygen Shortage: Govt
Mumbai: Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Friday informed the Lok Sabha that Punjab was the only state to report four suspected deaths due to oxygen shortage during the second wave of COVID-19.
“We had written to all the states seeking data on this. Nineteen states responded, only Punjab reported four ‘suspicious’ deaths due to lack of oxygen,” Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya informed the Lok Sabha.
He was replying to a question from Maharashtra MP Balubhau Dhanorkar. Mandaviya said, “Ever since the second wave of Kovid has started, politics is being done on the availability of oxygen in the country.”
“Our requirement was 900-1,000 MT per day, which went up to 1,400 MT per day during the first wave. During the second wave, our logistical capability naturally was to distribute about 1,400 MT [first wave’s requirement]. During the surge, our oxygen production capacity was ramped up; we brought in tankers from abroad; the Navy and the airforce were also engaged,” he said.
“Today, we have a production capacity of 4,500 MT,” he added.
Taking a dig at the AAP government in Delhi, he said, “I regret to say that despite all our efforts, people played politics. Some people moved the court and demanded more oxygen by showing inflated figures of requirement. I saw tankers in Delhi were being diverted from their destinations. Politics was played even on the deaths.”
“The Centre had sought data on the deaths due to oxygen shortage thrice from the states. Nineteen states responded. But of these states, only Punjab said that four people were suspected to have died due to a lack of oxygen and that they were investigating the cases,” Mandaviya said.
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