No Death Due To Lack Of Oxygen In Maharashtra, Says Health Minister

Maharashtra: Rajesh Tope's assertion came after the Centre told the Rajya Sabha that no deaths due to lack of oxygen were specifically reported by states and UTs during the second COVID-19 wave.

Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Wednesday said the state government never reported any death due to shortage of oxygen during the second wave of COVID-19. Notably, in April this year, 22 patients died after the oxygen supply was disrupted at a Nashik hospital due to leakage in an oxygen storage plant, local officials had said. Mr Tope had then said a thorough probe will be conducted to find out if negligence led to the leakage of oxygen at the hospital. On Tuesday, the Union government told the Rajya Sabha that no deaths due to lack of oxygen were specifically reported by states and UTs during the second COVID-19 wave, drawing sharp criticism from opposition leaders. When asked by a TV channel about the Centre's statement, Mr Tope said, "We never said people died due to oxygen shortage in the state. Many of them had issues like co-morbidities and other illnesses. No death has taken place due to the shortage of oxygen."