Maharashtra: 4 allegedly die of oxygen shortage; probe ordered

The 6-member committee will be headed by Bhiwandi Nizampur civic chief Dr. Pankaj Ashiya, Maharashtra Housing Minister Jitendra Awhad told media persons after visiting the Hospital.

However, the Minister rejected the oxygen shortage allegation, asserting that “there were 35 patients at the ICU at the time, if the oxygen supply was affected then how only four could die”.

He also dismissed the claims that the Hospital management has close relations with CM Uddhav Thackeray.

Thane Guardian Minister Eknath Shinde also visited the Hospital and termed the incident as “unfortunate”.

“Each and every life is important to us. Even the CM has taken the matter seriously,” he remarked, adding that the probe committee will also include Thane Civil Surgeon and District Health Officer.

Tacitly refuting oxygen shortage allegation, he mentioned, “The Hospital management has informed that the patients, who died, were critical.”

He asserted that not just Thane but whole of Maharashtra is grappling with oxygen crisis as the gap between demand and supply has widened.

“The government is making all out efforts to meet the demand by bringing oxygen by train, airlifting and going in for all kinds of generating plants,” he highlighted.

Meanwhile, a piquant situation prevailed at the Hospital entrance as angry kin of the deceased gathered there while holding the Hospital responsible for the deaths of their near and dear ones.

Substantiating their allegation, the relatives of a victim told that the oxygen level of their patient was 97 early morning then how can the person die.

Attacking the ruling coalition over the tragic incident, former BJP MP Kirit Somaiya tweeted, “Covid patients death in hospitals in Maharashtra due to oxygen and fire becoming routine for Thackeray Sarkar. Why Minister Rajesh Tope is not sacked?”

BJP MLC Niranjan Davkhare visited the Hospital and subsequently submitted a memorandum to the Collector Rajesh Narvekar, seeking a probe into the deaths.

He urged the Collector to set up a probe committee under the Civil Surgeon and punish those responsible; be it the Hospital staff or civic officials within two days.

So far, neither the Hospital management nor the Thane civic body have made any statements on the issue. While, police has beefed up security at the scene.