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The death of seven patients being treated for the coronavirus at one of the largest hospitals in Peshawar due to shortage of oxygen supplies is shocking and cannot be brushed aside. This a grotesque case of medical negligence and strict action must be taken against those responsible.
The patients died at the Khyber Teaching Hospital after the cylinders with medical oxygen did not arrive on time. The hospital used to receive them from a vendor in Rawalpindi who failed to deliver, leading to the death of the patients. Many doctors have been warning to ensure the proper supply of medicines and oxygen to hospitals due to the worsening situation amid the second wave of COVID-19. Yet it seems that government and hospital authorities have not learnt lessons or have been overburdened.
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister has ordered an inquiry and stated that the incident was unacceptable and strict action will be taken for such negligence. Such inquiries have been conducted in the past and have seldom yielded results. Oxygen is a fundamental need at hospitals and running out of supply is unthinkable. The protection of life is the responsibility of the state and it should fulfill its responsibilities. The government should share all information with the public and learn lessons for the future.
It is certain that the health system is under immense pressure due to rising number of COVID-19 at hospitals. There were around 96 coronavirus patients at this hospital and others are also at risk of losing their lives due to the lack of oxygen. The PTI government which governs the province has claimed that healthcare has improved. It became the first province in the country to provide universal health care to all residents which entitle free treatment for up to a million rupees. This is a welcome development but the healthcare facilities should be improved to live with the claims.
Pakistan ranks 154th out of 195 countries in terms of quality and accessibility of healthcare which is far behind other regional countries. The national health infrastructure comprises 1,279 hospitals serving a population of 220 million while the total number of beds is only around 145,000. In countries like Pakistan, which spend a tiny fraction of the budget on healthcare, people are left gasping for air due to shortage of oxygen.
