Oxygen shortage led to 24 deaths in Chamarajanagar hospital: Report

Committee says district administration, hospital authorities failed to act; gives clean chit to Mysuru DC

Twenty-four COVID-19 patients, who were being treated at Chamarajanagar district hospital, died due to lack of oxygen on May 2 and 3, and the shortage of oxygen occurred due to failure of the district administration in general and the hospital authorities in particular, according to a report submitted by a committee consisting of two retired judges of the High Court. “The Dean of Chamarajanagar Institute of Medical Sciences (CIMS) and the in charge district surgeon, a microbiologist, did not exhibit leadership quality and failed to efficiently marshal available resources to save lives,” the report said. “The Deputy Commissioner of Chamarajanagar, as chairman of the District Disaster Management Committee, miserably failed to guide and supervise the crisis situation arising out of extreme demand for oxygen. On the contrary, he indulged in an unsavoury blame game accusing the DC of Mysuru of causing hindrance for oxygen supply without any basis,” the committee pointed out in its report. “...the DC, Mysuru, did not come in the way of refilling agencies in Mysuru from refilling oxygen cylinders of any other districts, including Chamarajanagar,” it stated.