PNP Calls for Independent Probe into Oxygen Crisis

PNP Calls for Independent Probe into Oxygen Crisis – The Leader of the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP), Mark Golding is calling on the Health Ministry to publish what they consider “accurate data” on the number of COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients who have died in hospitals between Friday, August 27 and Monday, August 30, 2021.

He is demanding answers.

In a statement, Golding points to reports of patients being manually ventilated with bag valve masks, and allegedly of others including a pregnant woman and her baby who died as a result of the lack of oxygen. Reports are that hospitals were advised to manage the use of oxygen as the island’s sole supplier of the commodity, IGL, was running low.

Between Friday, August 27, and Monday, August 30 all hospitals reported dangerously low oxygen levels. This as the demand for lifesaving gas has put local supply at risk. Leader of the Opposition, in a statement, points to reports of patients being manually ventilated with bag valve masks, and allegedly of others including a pregnant woman and her baby who died as a result of the lack of oxygen.

Hospitals were advised to manage the use of oxygen as the island’s sole supplier of the commodity, IGL was running low.

It was revealed that there was a disruption in the company’s supply chain due to the increased demand in its source market. But the opposition insists the government should have ensured that sufficient supplies were available for hospitals, with proper planning.

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