SUNDAY, MAY 19, 2024
Team Herald
PANJIM: As the vacation bench of the High Court of Bombay at Goa resumed hearing in the oxygen shortage in the State, Justice M S Sonak apologised to the citizens for ‘collectively failing’ in controlling deaths of COVID-19 patients due to lack of oxygen supply.
“We are very sorry. We failed collectively… We owe an apology to all the people. Last night 20 died (for want of oxygen) in the Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH),” he said, before commencing the hearing into the PILs seeking the Court’s intervention in the pandemic management.
The division bench, also comprising Justice N W Sambre, noted that despite its order on May 12, 2021, “we sadly record that even today, it is reported that there were almost 40 Covid related casualties at the GMCH.” Out of these around 15 deaths occurred between the dark hours of 2 am and 6 am.
The Court sought the reason for the deaths to which Advocate General Devidas Pangam said that delay in replenishing stocks is causing the problem. “We were
assured there was no dearth in oxygen but only logistics. Why were only 600 cylinders supplied (shortfall of 400 cylinders)? Do we take that Goa does not have problem with oxygen quantity but problem with logistics?” the Bench asked the AG representing the Goa government.
The AG reiterated that the issue lies with replenishing oxygen at night and on how to avoid the delay in replenishment. The State also explained to the Court that there is difficulty in getting expert drivers for tractors, which carry oxygen from the plant to the hospitals. To which, the Court stated that they cannot allow people to die because tractors cannot go in reverse, etc.
“These are technical and logistics problems. We need to see how to solve it so that tonight (Thursday) there are no deaths due to oxygen shortage,” the Bench said, adding, “Along with power comes responsibility. People cannot die for reasons that there are no expert drivers, technicians, etc.”
As per details submitted to the Court by the GMCH Dean, 419 deaths occurred from May 1 to May 14 and several occurred between 2 am and 6 am which, the Court said, is directly attributable to logistical issues. “We are down by these figures. How long can this continue? What is so bad during these dark hours? Give us one day where there are no deaths due to lack of oxygen,” the Court said, asking the government and medical professionals for Plan B to save lives of COVID-19 people in hospitals.
In its order, the Court noted that the AG as well as Health Secretary Ravi Dhawan once again assured that there is no dearth as such of oxygen. They pointed out that the Central Government has now increased the quota for Goa, having regard to the overwhelming number of Covid victims in the State. They assured the High Court that they are continuously following up the matters with the Central Government, so that, such quota is actually received in the State at the earliest.
The Bench has therefore directed the Central Government to ensure that the allotted quota is made available to the State at the earliest.
At the end of the hearing, the AG urged the Court to hear his plea on Friday regarding “genuine problem” over restrictions on the workforce. He told the Court that several from the border areas are working in private health facilities and find it difficult to travel. “There are people stranded. There is tremendous pressure,” the AG said, but not convinced the Court said they will take up the matter on Monday.
