New Delhi: Centre’s argument of no oxygen shortage death occuring in the country during the peak of second wave, is a mockery of truth. Data collection agency “Data Meet” recorded at least 619 deaths from want of medical oxygen up to 27 May. Goa accounted for highest among these with 83 oxygen-starved deaths.
The agency said there were no oxygen-shortage deaths in Kerala. Other states with significant numbers are : Andhra Pradesh 65, Madhya Pradesh 65, Karnataka 61, Delhi 59, Maharashtra 59, Uttar Pradesh 51, Tamil Nadu 48, Haryana 22, Jharkhand 21 Bihar 20. Rajasthan recorded 12 deaths and Punjab 6.
Responbding to government's blatant denial, the All India Grade Action Network Convener, Malini Isola said, "Outcries raised by hospitals and doctors during that phase from lack of oxygen supplies have not faded from memory". The government’s claim on the topic does not sit right with the horrible experiences people underwent, said contagious diseases expert Chandrakanth Lahriya. Denial of Covid deaths from oxygen shortage came about in Parliament came from Union health Minister Bharati Praveen Pawar in response to a query.
Twenty persons had died on 23 April at Golden Hospital In Delhi’s northeastern city of Jaipur. At that time, the hospital authorities had approached Delhi High Court seeking it to order the Centre to supply medical oxygen required. 24 deaths occurred at District Hospital in Karntaka’s Chamraj Nagar when oxygen supplies ground to a halt. The Allahabad Court on 4 May reprimanded the centre pointing out that causing deaths for want of oxygen is criminal offence that amounts to genocide. 12 persons had died at Batra Hospital in Delhi for want of medical oxygen.
