India covid-19: Hospital with hundreds of patients runs out of oxygen

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New Delhi (CNN) -

The lives of 430 covid-19 patients at the Ashutosh Specialty Hospital in the city of Surat, in the western Indian state of Gujarat, are in danger, as the hospital only has three left hours of oxygen, a hospital chief physician told CNN on Tuesday.

"Some oxygen is coming in, but the rush and the lines of people needing oxygen are so great that it can take maybe six to eight hours for delivery to get a supply because the shortage is tremendous," Dr. Rajivraj Chaudhary, Ashutosh Specialty Hospital.

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Hospital staff have been "moving from provider to provider since last night to try to get extra oxygen," Chaudhary said.

"It is very worrying," he added.

Chaudhary also told families that they might transfer their relatives to another hospital due to poor oxygen supplies: 'We have told family members that we are running out of oxygen, so if they can find an alternative location where oxygen is available, we will be delighted to help you with the transfer ».

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However, the situation in Surat's private hospitals is dire across the board and many of them, including the Ashutosh Multi-Specialty Hospital, have started turning patients away, according to Nirmal Choraria, chair of the Association's Action Committee. Indian doctor in Surat.

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The entire city has been facing a critical oxygen shortage since Sunday and its 400 private hospitals are struggling.

They need about 110 metric tons of oxygen;

on Tuesday they received 20 or 30 metric tons less than necessary, added Choraria.

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"The supply is not yet guaranteed or confirmed," said Choraria, adding that critically ill patients across the city have not been able to find a bed in the hospital: "They are moving from one place to another ... if we cannot improve the situation This will definitely affect mortality, ”said Choraria.

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Covid-19 India Oxygen