There is no denying the fact that the people of Jammu region have suffered due to lack of timely oxygen supply resulting in many avoidable deaths. Bharatiya Janata Party fully sympathises with the aggrieved families and shares their sorrow, stated a press release issued here by the Party today. It further stated that the second wave of corona was deadlier, spread rapidly and affected all segments of the society. The same can be gauged from the fact that while on 01 April there were only 100 cases which rose to 1200+ on 01 May.
“It is regretted that at a time of crisis of such magnitude when the need of the hour was to fight the pandemic unitedly, certain elements chose to play a blame game which was purely a ‘Modi Vidroh’ than ‘Corona Vidroh’. PM Modi was blamed for the shortage of Oxygen in the region. A few went to the extent of accusing Modi Government for ignoring Jammu at the cost of Kashmir,” lamented Brig Veteran Anil Gupta, Spokesperson of the Party. While every individual enjoys the freedom to express his/her views, yet there is a need to set the factual record straight.
During the first phase of corona Jammu had only three oxygen plants in GMC. To ensure that adequate oxygen supply is available at least at each District Hospital (DH) level, 37 oxygen plants were released for the Jammu Division by the Modi Government during July/August 2020. According to a report published in Daily Excelsior dated 10 May it have been highlighted that it was on record that tenders worth 235 crores have been floated to set up 37 oxygen plants in different hospitals and would be made functional in three to four months. Alas! It did not happen. “It is this lackadaisical attitude that was responsible for the shortage of oxygen when the second wave took the administration by surprise and emergency measures were taken to beef up the oxygen plants. BJP demands a thorough probe for this lapse which has proved very costly,” asserted Brig Gupta.
As regards ignoring Jammu, Brig Gupta denied the allegation and said,” as on date in addition to the three functional plants in GMC which pre-existed 15 more oxygen plants have been made operational. These include 9 in Jammu District, 3 in Kathua and one each in Samba, Reasi and Rajouri. In addition, 04 German plants are being installed in Jammu District with 02 in GMC and one each in SSH and Maternity Hospital Gandhi Nagar.” It has also been learnt from reliable sources that 24 plants are in the pipeline out of which 21 will be installed and functional by end June. A low- capacity oxygen plant is already under installation in Mandi. In addition, ERA is also installing 15 Manifold Oxygen Plants at CHC/Trauma/Emergency hospitals level. This, hopefully, will meet the oxygen requirement of patients closer to their places and they don’t have to rush to DH/GMC.
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