Madhya Pradesh: Oxygen cylinders looted at COVID hospital, twice in two days even as cases rise
The incident took place late on Tuesday night at the Damoh district hospital, which is a dedicated Covid hospital of the district.
FollowIndore: Amid worsening Covid-19 situation in Madhya Pradesh, relatives of coronavirus patients in Madhya Pradesh's Damoh resorted to looting the tanks of medical oxygen at a government-run hospital. A video shows people went berserk soon after a truck laden with medical oxygen cylinders reached the district hospital.
The incident took place late on Tuesday night at the Damoh district hospital, which is a dedicated Covid hospital of the district.
Doctors and paramedical staff of the hospital had to briefly stop work after the loot. Work was resumed after police beefed security at the hospital campus.
Damoh district collector said that there is no shortage of oxygen at hospitals in the district. He added that a case will be filed against those involved in the looting and assured that the administration will provide all possible help to the public.
"We have been told that as soon as oxygen truck came, people looted cylinders even when the hospital had adequate oxygen supply. We are identifying these people and filing cases," the district collector said.
A similar incident took place at the hospital on Monday as well. While the incident was reported to the police, no one was booked.
“After Monday’s incident, police and the district administration were informed. On Tuesday, it was repeated again. The police were again informed, but under such circumstances, it is becoming increasingly difficult for doctors and paramedic staff to perform their duties," Damoh district hospital civil surgeon Dr Mamta Timoti said.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has dialed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Ministers of Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat to ensure uninterrupted oxygen supply to the state. He has urged the neighbouring states to take stern action against all those blocking oxygen cylinders supply to Madhya Pradesh.
On Tuesday, Damoh reported 85 fresh cases of Covid-19, taking the total number of infected cases in the district to 4,162. 98 people have so far lost their lives to the deadly virus in Damoh.
