Deadline for S Goa’s oxygen plant likely to be missed, though COVID patients getting enough oxygen

MARGAO: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s, tour of South Goa, on May 2 to audit and assess the availability of oxygen was seen as a breath of fresh air. While South Goa seems to be able to provide enough Oxygen for its COVID patients who need that support, the caseload is increasing. And the promised Oxygen plant, scheduled to be commissioned by May 15, is unlikely to meet the deadline for a piquant reason,

The much-needed compressor to get the plant, paid for by  the “PMcares” fund, functioning was supposed  to arrive from Gujarat on May 8. But it has still not arrived in Margao, to be installed at the South Goa District Hospital 

However, there appears to be no immediate panic as heads of the SGDH and ESI hospitals have assured there is no shortage of oxygen.

 There are nearly 300 patients at SGDH and nearly 160-170 patients in ESI Hospital are on the oxygen. And the number is increasing day by day. 

When Herald contacted the concerned medical superiors with regard to the status of oxygen supply they all claimed everything running smoothly. 

Medical Superintendent of SGDH hospital Dr. Deepa Correia Afonso said “there is no shortage of oxygen in the hospital and we are getting smooth supply from Cuncolim Oxygen Plant, Verna, and Govind Poi Oxygen factory on regular basis”  

When asked about the Oxygen plant assured by Chief Minister, she said that they are yet to receive the compressor from Gujarat. “Without the Compressor, we can’t start the plant over here. The plant will commence very soon”, she assured. 

MS Dr Afonso also informed that presently nearly 300 COVID patients are on oxygen 24 hours of the day. There is no shortage of oxygen in the hospital. 

As informed by the hospital sources the compressor of the plant was supposed to arrive long back. And the delay of the compressor has paralyzed the work of the plant. Inspection of the place for the plant setup has also done by the concerned authorities. 

On May 2 the Chief Minister along with all the other concerned officials had reviewed the management of oxygen supply in South Goa’s hospital. He had visited SGDH, besides, ESI hospital, Oxygen plants at Cuncolim, Verna and Arlem. 

The CM had also announced that the plant will be set up at the cost of Rs nine crore and it will be an additional oxygen facility at the District Hospital in Margao. “This oxygen plant at SGDH will be functional from May 15” assured CM Dr Sawant.

Dr Sawant had also said that the oxygen plant at the district hospital will be established under the PM Cares Fund and the compressor is expected to reach Goa on May 8. 

Now, it is May 10(Monday) and the compressor is yet to arrive from Gujarat. And the administration of the district hospital is hoping for the best to commence the plant on an assured date. 

 But the patient toll and the death toll has shown a steady rise for the past week. However, deaths due to oxygen shortage have not been reported.

  The Medical Superintendent of ESI Hospital at Margao Dr Vishwajeet Phaldesai has also claimed that the hospital has a regular supply of oxygen and they are well-equipped with regard to oxygen. 

He said “Out of 235 patients, nearly 160-170 Covid patients are on oxygen and no shortage of oxygen has been felt” 

“We are receiving 80-100 oxygen cylinders and 2 trolleys containing 48 cylinders each from various oxygen plants. Oxygen from the Cuncolim plant and also from the Govind Poi oxygen factory is being supplied to the hospital”, he stated. 

Dr Phaldesai also informed they will start with a concentrator plant in the hospital very soon. 

“The work of the concentrator plant has already commenced and is it expected that plant will start within next two weeks”, he informed. 

Patients taking treatment for Covid infection at GMC are the worst affected ones. The medical fraternity has also countered the governments with regard to the shortage of oxygen. 

The public is of the opinion that as compared to GMC the South Goa District Hospital and ESI hospital have not yet felt the brunt of the shortage of oxygen. And hence before such situations arise the oxygen plant needs to commence at the district hospital at the earliest. 

Meanwhile, on Monday State Health Secretary Ravi Dhawan visited the South Goa District Hospital and took a review of the health service status.  

Medical Superintendent of SGDH Dr Deepa Correia Afonso, besides Nodal Officer Dr. Rajesh Patel and other officials, were also present at the review meeting. 

As informed by the Nodal Officer, the Health Secretary, besides getting an update on oxygen availability, took a review of the other services in the hospital. “At the moment we have no issue of oxygen shortage and we have a system in place to handle the situations. The Hospital has backup cylinders for which we have created a jumbo room of oxygen. At the meeting all this has been informed to the Health Secretary”, said Dr. Patel.