Pay us on time to save patients, oxygen supplier told hospital

GORAKHPUR: The Lucknow-based healthcare firm Pushpa Sales, at the heart of controversy for disrupting the oxygen supply that is being alleged as reason for death of 33 infants in 72 hours since Thursday, had repeatedly told the Gorakhpur hospital the importance of the "life-saving medical gas."
In its August 1, 2017 letter to Baba Raghav Das hospital's principal R K Mishra, the firm's legal advisor wrote, "It would not be not out of place to mention here that you are aware of the importance of medical gas for patients of your medical college as this is a life-saving gas and because of your lethargic approach in making payments, it is tough to continue the supply."
The firm had, in fact, sent as many as 14 reminders to the hospital since February this year.
The firm had entered into a tripartite agreement with the hospital in 2014.
The Gorakhpur Police are now confused over whether an FIR can be registered on charges of medical negligence amid accusations and counter-accusations between firm and the government college.
The government has already announced Mishra's suspension and also put the firm under the scanner for using delay in payment of Rs 65 lakh to cut the liquid oxygen supply.