The oxygen shortage amid the ongoing COVID-19 crisis is leaving many gasping for breath. This has caused an immense burden on the already broken and privatized health system. Since yesterday many private hospitals approached to help with the shortage of oxygen supply.
In the urgent hearing today Delhi High Court pulled up the Central government and directed it to ensure that the order allocating oxygen to the capital is strictly complied with. Non-compliance would invite criminal action.
Lamenting on the breakdown of the system as bodies pile up the court said to the centre-“As it stands, we all know this country is being run by God,”.
Amid the COVID-19 crisis and overcrowded hospitals, the shortage of beds, ventilators and oxygen cylinders have taken many lives. Since yesterday two reputed hospitals in the capital city, Max Hospitals and Saroj Super Speciality Hospital had knocked on Delhi High Court doors regarding urgent oxygen supply.
Yesterday the High Court ordered the Central government to provide oxygen to six Max hospitals in the national capital which is housing over 1,400 COVID-19 patients.
The Court held a special sitting at 8 PM and directed the government to ensure that oxygen is supplied to the hospitals by “whatever means”.
1. MHA Order to Allow Free Movement of Oxygen Across States
Ministry of Home Affairs also passed an order under the Disaster Management Act to allow free movement of medical oxygen.
With states accusing each other of blocking the passage of oxygen supply, the Ministry of Home Affairs on Thursday ordered that there will be no restriction on the movement of medical oxygen between the states and the transport authorities shall be instructed to accordingly allow free inter-state and intra-state movement of oxygen-carrying vehicles.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister on Thursday held high-level meeting on oxygen supply and availability across India. In the meeting, he called for using innovative ways to provide oxygen support to health facilities.
Earlier today, taking suo motu cognisance of the prevailing covid-19 pandemic situation in the country, the Supreme Court asked the Centre to put in place a national policy on issues relating to the supply of oxygen, essential drugs, and method of vaccination.
Today’s COVID tally stands at over 3 lakh cases, the highest daily increase in infections the country has recorded in the pandemic so far. No country has recorded more cases in a single day.
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