In a tragic incident at the Jalandhar Civil Hospital, three patients on ventilator support lost their lives after the hospital’s oxygen supply was abruptly cut off due to a technical malfunction in the oxygen plant. The deceased include a snakebite patient, a drug overdose victim, and a TB patient.
What Happened?
According to Medical Superintendent Dr. Raj Kumar Baddhan, the oxygen supply was interrupted due to an oil leak in the plant. Despite efforts to restore the supply, three out of five patients on ventilator support could not survive.
Dr. Baddhan confirmed the incident, stating,
“Due to a technical fault in the oxygen plant, the supply was snapped. The fault was rectified, but unfortunately, the patients succumbed.”
Investigation Ordered
A nine-member committee has been set up to investigate the incident and determine accountability. The Medical Superintendent has demanded a detailed report by Tuesday, ensuring that responsibility is fixed once the probe is completed.
Family Members Speak Out
The families of the deceased patients are devastated and have raised questions about the hospital’s emergency response.
- Shivam, brother of snakebite patient Archana, shared, “My sister was recovering well. The doctors first said there was a technical issue, and soon after, they declared her dead.”
- Khushboo, wife of the 35-year-old TB patient, expressed, “My husband was admitted due to lung complications. At 7 PM, there was some technical issue, and then he passed away.”
Eyewitness Accounts Raise Questions
Hospital sources claim that the snapping of oxygen supply triggers an alarm that doctors on duty cannot miss. They believe that unless the response was significantly delayed, a minor technical fault should not have resulted in fatalities.
Public Outcry and Accountability
The incident has sparked outrage among the public, who are demanding answers regarding the hospital’s preparedness for such emergencies. The investigation committee’s report is expected to provide clarity on whether there was negligence or system failure.