Bengaluru: The Karnataka government has ordered an inquiry after 24 patients died at a government hospital on Sunday night. The deaths were reported at the hospital in Chamarajanagar allegedly after the oxygen supply dropped. At least 144 patients are being treated at the hospital, the NDTV reported.
23 out of the 24 patients were being treated for Covid.
Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa, meanwhile, appointed IAS officer Shivayogi Kalasad to investigate the deaths of the 23 patients. The report into the deaths has to be submitted to the government within three days.
Mysuru MP, Pratap Simha, said, “Last night, when media people drew my attention to the situation of oxygen shortage in Chamarajnagar district, I myself contacted Deputy Commissioner (DC) Dr MR Ravi and took a conference call with ADC who is in charge of oxygen. At night itself I contacted Southern Gas and they provided 15 cylinders. Before that also we had given from the quota. Despite all this, this sad incident occurred. Chamarajnagar is not some far away place. We feel it is part of us. We are part of their sorrow.”
The All India Congress Committee general secretary and Karnataka in-charge, Randeep Singh Surjewala demanded the arrest of the Health Minister. “This is murder by designed negligence of Yediyurappa Govt ! The Health Minister must resign. Will CM Yediyurappa ji own moral responsibility for the deaths?” Surjewala tweeted.
Congress Karnataka chief DK Shivakumar said the government is only interested in publicity and does not take any responsibility.
Several hospitals across the country have been reporting a shortage of oxygen, with many patients losing lives due to this.
Karnataka reported 37,733 fresh COVID-19 cases, 21,149 recoveries, and 217 deaths in the past 24 hours. The number of active cases in the state stands at 4,21,436 with 11,64,398 recoveries.
