The Andhra Pradesh high court on Thursday found fault with the state government for not filing any case against the Sri Venkata Ramana Ruia Hospital in Tirupati, despite the death of 11 Covid-19 patients due to disruption in oxygen supply on May 10.
Acting on a public interest litigation petition filed by one P R Mohan seeking judicial probe into the Ruia Hospital deaths, the high court sought a report from the state government and the Tirupati police, besides the Central government, which was responsible for the oxygen supply.
The petitioner brought to the notice of the high court that no FIR was registered against the Ruia Hospital authorities, though Chittoor district collector reported that the hospital was at fault in failing to procure oxygen on time.
The petitioner sought the direction of the court that the government should extend financial assistance of Rs 1 crore to each of the kin of the deceased, on the lines of the compensation paid to the families of those who died in Vizag gas leak tragedy in May 2020.
He also sought the court’s direction to the state to set up five oxygen plants in the state immediately.
It may be recalled that 11 Covid-19 patients died of asphyxiation due to sudden disruption in oxygen supply at the Ruia Hospital in Tirupati.
Chittoor district collector M Harinarayanan said there was disruption in supply of oxygen due to delay in arrival of oxygen tanker from Sri Perumbudur in Tamil Nadu to the hospital.
“Soon after the arrival of tanker at the hospital, the oxygen supply was restored, but by that time, 11 persons undergoing treatment for Covid-19 died of asphyxiation. We could prevent further loss of lives due to timely restoration of oxygen supply,” the collector said.
Nearly 1,000 patients are undergoing treatment at the hospital and the sudden disruption of oxygen supply led to loss of breath for several patients.
The doctors could save the lives of some patients by taking up cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and also by pressing oxygen compressors into service.