DC constitutes oxygen audit committee to monitor consumption and ensure rational use

Ludhiana : In the wake of a sharp increase in the use of oxygen for the Covid patients in the hospitals, Deputy Commissioner Varinder Kumar Sharma on Saturday set up an oxygen audit committee to constant monitoring the consumption of life-saving gas in the district.Deputy Commissioner Varinder Kumar Sharma said that this 11-member committee would be headed by AETC-2 Damanjeet Singh Mann and a representative of Commissioner of Police, SSP Khanna and SSP Ludhiana Rural, Deputy Medical Commissioner Dr Mohinder Singh, District Family and Welfare Officer Dr SP Singh, GM District Industries Centre, ZLA Dr Kulwinder Singh, Anaesthetic Dr Sheenu Gupta, Drug Inspectors Roop Preet Kaur, Sandeep Kaushik, Amit Lakhan Pal and Lajwinder Kaur would be its members.He said that the committee has been tasked to review the consumption and balance stock of the oxygen by the hospitals/other health institutions. Further, it will ensure that the use of oxygen for the management of serious Covid-19 patients is rational and per prescribed treatment protocols.
The committee will have to submit its report to him daily about its functioning, he said and added that the committee will also ensure the oxygen must not be used for the industrial purpose at any cost and take action in case of the violation.Further, this committee would also identify areas of wasteful consumption, he told.Sharma said that with the sudden surge of serious Covid cases, the oxygen demand has also been increasing unprecedentedly as it is vital for the treatment of level-III patients so it was necessary that the stocks of oxygen and its consumption, is closely rationalised.Further, he asked the hospitals to use oxygen only for the serious/critical patients to ensure rational use of this gas.Deputy Commissioner also warned the hoarders of the oxygen and warned severest of severe action if anyone would be found involved in profiteering.Amid the report of some hospitals were still doing elective surgeries despite prohibited, Deputy Commissioner has also set up a committee under the supervision of DMC Dr Mohinder Singh, Medical Officer Dr Milan and District Leprosy Officer Dr Gurtajinder Kaur for physical inspection of the hospitals and take strict action those not following the orders.In separate order, he said that another team led by ZLA Dr Kulwinder Singh has been set up to take strict action against those involved in black marketing of the Remdesivir. He said that the team would submit daily inspection report to him by 5 pm.

NK