Officials suspended

After the media and politicians in Jammu region raised their voice against the lack of oxygen and other equipment in the hospitals for the covid-19 patients, the government has decided to take action on the ground.

The government recently suspended two officers, including a Deputy Medical Superintendent, over the shortage of oxygen supply to COVID-19 patients and mismanagement at Government Medical College (GMC), Jammu, leading to the death of a patient on the night of September 22.

These officers were responsible for keeping the oxygen supply to the hospitals in Jammu especially Super Specialty Hospital, Jammu, with the responsibilities of managing Oxygen Supply in GMC, Jammu.

One officer has been attached in the office of the Chief Engineer, Mechanical Engineering Department, Jammu, while Dr Kumar would remain attached in the office of the Director Health Services, Jammu.

The decision has been taken a day after Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Adviser to the Lieutenant Governor, visited GMC Jammu and ordered the enquiry into the shortage of oxygen in the COVID-19 care areas in the hospital.

An enquiry committee comprising Dr Yashpal Sharma, managing director, JKMSCL, Gagan Jyoti, Chief Engineer Mechanical, Engineering Department, Jammu; and Dr Jitender Mehta, Medical Officer, found gross irregularities in the functioning of the hospital.