The Delhi High Court has directed the central government to supply medical oxygen to six hospitals in the national capital at the earliest using any means necessary. The High Court bench issued the order while hearing a plea by Max healthcare because of the shortage of medical oxygen at hospitals in the Delhi NCR
There 6 hospitals that require oxygen: Max hospital, Saket, Max Smart Hospital, Saket, Max Hospital, Patparganj, Max Hospital Shalimar Bagh, Max Hospital, Vaishali and Max Hospital Gurugram.
The High Court was also notified that 2000 MT of medical oxygen would reach Max hospital in Patparganj, Delhi in two hours.
Earlier on Wednesday 21st April, 2021 Max healthcare issued a press statement saying that it had only a few hours of medical oxygen supply left. The statement also said that more than 1400 Covid 19 patients are being treated at 7 Max healthcare hospitals.
Max healthcare then moved the High Court for an urgent hearing in this regard. A Delhi High Court bench, presided by Justices Vipin Sanghi and Rekha Palli said the centre was directed to protect the fundamental right to life of citizens who are seriously ill due to COVID-19 and require medical oxygen.
Divert entire industrial supply if necessary:
The bench opined its surprise on the inaction by the central government despite the High Courts order dated April 20, 2021, regarding this matter.
“Yesterday we passed a detailed order including on the aspect of shortage of oxygen. We were informed that all the industrial oxygen is being diverted for medical use except certain critical industries, that is steel and petroleum. There were certain others running. however it was not explained as to the nature of those industries,” it said.
Besides, the Delhi High Court said the centre should divert the entire supply of oxygen made for industries, particularly steel and petroleum to medical use if necessary.
The bench also observed that the industries can wait for a few weeks but the fact that the government has not even thought in that direction shows that human lives are not that important in the eyes of the government. And the Justices are shocked and dismayed that the government is not mindful of the extremely urgent need for oxygen. And that the heavens will not fall if oxygen is diverted from the industries for a few weeks.
Green corridors for transportation of medical oxygen
The bench suggested that transportation of medical oxygen from the place of production to the various hospitals is time-consuming and is possible through green corridors.
The bench ordered that the centre should consider ways and means of transportation from the oxygen plant by either creating a dedicated corridor so that the supply chain is not affected as the supply of oxygen should not be obstructed for any reason whatsoever.
