Retracting the order for cancellation of routine operations from May 1 due to acute shortage of oxygen, the hospital issued a corrigendum saying “The earlier order issued due to oversight is regretted and is hereby withdrawn.”
TFM Desk
Amidst second wave jitters in the state with rapidly surging COVID-19 cases, an order issued by the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) cancelling routine operation of all the departments of the institute from May 1, due to the acute shortage of Oxygen on Friday triggered hysteria and panic across the state. However, the hospital retracted the order, which was totally contrary to chief minister N Biren’s claims of enough stock of medical oxygen in the state, within hours.
It may be noted that the chief minister had on April 26 tweeted that he had visited RIMS, Imphal, to take stock of the Oxygen plant that is already supplying the essential medical Oxygen to the wards and Covid units in the hospital. “We are prepared for any eventuality arising from Covid 19 2nd wave in the state,” he added.
However, to the utter shock and surprise to the people, Medical Superintendent (MS) in-charge of RIMS Hospital, Prof H Priyoshakhi Devi issued the order saying, “Due to acute shortage of oxygen and in view of the increasing number of COVID 19 patients in the hospital, routine operation of all the departments of RIMS shall be cancelled w.e.f. 1st May, 2021 until further order.”
“The patients in particular and public in general are requested to bear with us,” it added.
Later within hours, the RIMS MS issued a corrigendum retracting the order.
“It is clarified that the previous order was issued just to give emphasis on heavy consumption of medical oxygen due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 severe patients admitted in RIMS hospital and the need to preserve adequate oxygen for Covid-19 patients,” it said.
“The earlier order issued due to oversight is regretted and is hereby withdrawn,” stated the corrigendum.
On April 24, while speaking at the distribution ceremony of Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulance, CM Biren had reportedly also announced that there was enough stock of medical Oxygen in the state. There are three oxygen producing plants including a private firm in the state, he added.
He further said that the state has taken up appropriate steps to prevent from oxygen shortage which is a burning issue in highly affected states of India by the second wave. There are around 1,098 D-type Oxygen concentrator machines available. The government has put measures to control panic buying of Oxygen from private firms, he added.
Urging the public not to create any panic by spreading rumours that there might be lack of Oxygen supply in the state, CM Biren had recently warned of action against anyone who spread such rumours.
India has been in the headline internationally for the last week or so due to the alarming rise in the number of cases and deaths. Delhi, Maharashtra, UP, amongst others are bearing the brunt of the second wave in the country. Record number of cases and death continued to be reported each day.
It has been reported that lack of Oxygen has resulted in the deaths of several patients in some hospitals. The Union government had recently directed all states and Union territories in India to ensure use of liquid oxygen only for medical purposes and not for any non-medical ones with immediate effect until further orders.
All oxygen manufacturing units must “maximise their production for medical use only” with immediate effect, the government had said in an effort to ensure uninterrupted supply of medical oxygen to treat COVID-19 patients.
The Union Home Ministry issued the order in regard to liquid oxygen use for medical purposes as the entire country is facing unprecedented COVID-19 surge.”The Central Government has reviewed the oxygen supply situation and has decided that with immediate effect, use of liquid oxygen, including the existing stock, will be allowed for medical purposes only, and that all manufacturing units may be allowed to maximise their production of liquid oxygen, and make it available to the Government, for use for medical purposes only,” the ministry had said in a statement.