Oxygen dearth claim at hospital false

KOLKATA: Shortage of oxygen was one the primary reasons given by administrators at the B.C. Roy Memorial Children’s Hospital for the death of 14 children in 48 hours. But on Tuesday their bluff was called by BOC India Ltd, suppliers of oxygen to the hospital.
An inspection team from BOC, which rushed to the hospital on Tuesday, discovered that the hospital had more than adequate stock of oxygen cylinders.
The team, led by BOC national sales manager Shekher Trivedi, met the hospital superintendent and found that supplies through their authorised dealer, Prashanti Enterprises in Salt Lake, had been delivered both on Saturday and Monday. According Prashanti Enterprises proprietor, Rana Roy Chowdhury, 54 cylinders were delivered on Saturday, 52 on Monday and around 40 on Tuesday. “The average requirement of the hospital is about 25 cylinders daily. I don’t know what could have caused a sudden spurt in demand,� he said.
The hospital sometimes picks up supplies from BOC’s Mominpore office also. So at any point of time, there are more than 40 cylinders at its disposal.
Each 13.2 litre cylinder lasts 24 hours for an adult and for children it lasts longer.Most large hospitals, say BOC India officials, prefer to have ‘Vacuum Insulated Evaporators’ with liquid oxygen tanks. The facility costs a few lakh rupees to set up but ensures 24-hour oxygen supply, without the hassle of lugging cylinders. An official said, “Five private hospitals in the city already have this facility, but no government hospital has yet opted for VIE.�
Doctors point to the possibility of poor utilisation of manpower as the cause of the crisis. It is possible, they said, that the hospital had enough cylinders but did not have personnel to deliver them to the wards on demand.
This ‘artificial shortage’ could have prompted doctors to ask patients’ families to get cylinders from outside, they felt. However, it is not easy to acquire oxygen cylinders at short notice.
According to Dey’s Medical Stores, the patient’s family has to deposit Rs 2,500 before a 10-litre cylinder can be delivered. Besides, they also have to furnish identity and residence proof along with the doctor’s prescription.
“The gas costs Rs 107 and we charge Rs 30 for transportation. Rental charges per day are Rs 2 for the cylinder and Rs 2 for the oxygen meter,� a salesman said.
BOC India inspection team discovers B.C. Roy hospital had more than adequate stock of oxygen Supplies through the company’s authorised dealer had been delivered on Saturday and Monday Doctors point to chances of poor utilisation of manpower as cause of crisis in the hospital