Where Is The Oxygen?

Due to the massive increase in the number of patients infected with coronavirus in the country, several hospitals are facing oxygen crisis as per the demand. Especially acute shortage of oxygen at district and upazila level. Patients have to rush from one hospital to another for oxygen. Many people are not getting oxygen even after visiting six hospitals.

Nine people died at Satkhira Medical College Hospital on Wednesday (June 30) from 10 am to 10 pm due to lack of oxygen. Two of them were Covid-19 positive and the rest had coronavirus symptoms. Three died in the hospital's ICU and six in the ward.

This catastrophe occurred when there was a sudden oxygen crisis in the hospital. However, the deceased names are unknown yet. Mukul Sardar, a relative of one of the patients from the hospital, said, "A commotion has been created in the hospital as 8-9 people died at around 9 pm. But no one is saying the details. '

Khulna is Covid-19's new 'hotspot' in the country. The number and death of coronavirus patients is increasing day by day. In such a situation, besides the bed crisis in the hospital, there is also a crisis of oxygen. Many patients who need oxygen are going home without getting a chance to be admitted to the hospital.

Naogaon is the largest district in Rajshahi division. Currently, the district has become a Covid-19 hotspot. The situation is deteriorating further as the number of coronavirus patients is increasing every day. Although high flow oxygen supply is running in three upazilas and Sadar Hospital of Naogaon, the remaining eight upazilas do not have oxygen supply. For this, complex patients infected with coronavirus have to be sent to hospitals in Rajshahi or Bogura.

Corona dedicated Shaheed Shamsuddin Ahmed Hospital in Sylhet is now 'overloaded'. Dr Mizanur Rahman, the resident medical officer of the hospital, said Covid-19 patients need round-the-clock oxygen support. Although there are 97 patients, there are 63 ports for oxygen supply. Others are having oxygen through the cylinder, though that’s not enough. he thinks it is necessary to go for alternative system now before the number of patients increases.

Patients were sent to Jashore last Wednesday (June 29) due to the oxygen crisis at Kushtia Sadar Hospital. Excessive oxygen crisis in a 50-bed hospital in Dashmina, Patuakhali. The patients are dying due to lack of oxygen. Oxygen crisis is evident in Potnitola of Naogaon.

Gurujbagan Hospital in Sharsha, Jessore has 50 beds. There has also oxygen crisis. The patients there are rushing to Jashore. Such a situation has now appeared in districts and upazilas of the country.

Specialist doctors said that shortness of breathing shortness is one of the symptoms of Covid-19 patients. Patients who have tolerable levels of shortness of breath do not need oxygen to breathe. But those who have high levels of shortness of breath have to be supplied with oxygen from outside to keep their breathing active. The amount of oxygen that needs to be given in the ICU for normal patients is 5/6 liters per minute. But the amount of oxygen needed for a corona patient is 70/80 liters per minute.

Before the Covid-19 situation, the country had a daily demand of 100 tons of medical grade oxygen, officials said. The demand for high flow nasal cannula, ventilators and ICUs has increased abnormally as the number of Covid-19 patients has increased.

 It is learned that the government has not yet been able to provide ICU facilities to government hospitals in 29 districts. Hospitals that have a central supply of oxygen have less problems. But most of the public and private hospitals in the country do not have the opportunity to supply oxygen centrally. As a result, the patient has to be given oxygen through a cylinder.

The Department of Health has also expressed concern over the oxygen crisis in the country. In a regular bulletin to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) on Monday (June 26th) at noon, the department's spokesman, Prof. Dr. Robed Amin, said the rise in coronavirus infections could lead to an oxygen crisis. Therefore, the DGHS is already preparing to deal with the crisis. In the meantime, they have started liaising with various industries and oxygen suppliers.

Mugda Medical College Principal Prof. Ahmedul Kabir said that at present the oxygen crisis is evident. It was possible to produce oxygen in the country. The PSA generator should have been put in a small space. It should have been done on time. But now that the coronavirus patient is increasing, there is no time to produce. Oxygen must be brought from abroad quickly.

Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control And Research (IEDCR) Chief Adviser Dr Mushtaq Hossain said that what needs to be done at the moment is to build a field hospital and provide services to the middle and lower classes. If ICU is needed, take it there. Oxygen could have been produced in the country, it should have been implemented in time. But did not.

A year ago, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina directed to ensure oxygen system at district and upazila level across the country. But it has not been implemented yet. In this context, BMA Secretary-General Dr Ehteshamul Haque Chowdhury Dulal said, we have got enough time. But we could not implement it by adopting a proper plan. There was a lack of foresight.

Experts say that seeing the state of capacity of the country's health sector, it will not be possible to prevent a catastrophe if the coronavirus infection increases for some reason or a situation like India's arises. Although there has been some improvement in the capacity of the health sector compared to last year, experts say it is not enough yet.