The Chhattisgarh government said Friday that there is no shortage of oxygen to treat patients suffering from corona infection and other serious diseases and denied that this had led to deaths.
As on April 15, 386.92 tonnes of oxygen are being produced and only 110.30 tonnes of oxygen are needed per day for 5,898 patients on oxygen support, a press release said. Depending on the demand, oxygen is continuously supplied to government and private hospitals in the state. Covid-19 patients are dying due to severe infection, the release said, describing as "absolutely misleading" reports in a section of the media that lack of oxygen was responsible for the fatalities. The Health Department said that oxygen consumption has increased in the state since March 14 due to a steady rise in the number of patients on oxygen support. As of March 14, only 197 patients on oxygen support required 3.68 tonnes of oxygen. This soared to 110.30 tonnes as on April 15.