Liquid oxygen tank of 20K liters arrives in GMC Jammu

Jammu: The Government Medical College Jammu, which has been in disarray for the last few months especially over oxygen supply even as COVID19 cases surged in the Jammu division, has today received a liquid oxygen tank with a capacity of 20,000 liters.

“A liquid oxygen tank of 20,000 liters capacity arrived today at GMC Jammu, and is being installed. It will meet our immediate requirement of oxygen supply, and help bringing down the dependency on oxygen cylinders,” says Bodh Raj, XEN Mechanical, GMC Jammu, adding that one more such tank of equal capacity can be installed if need arises.

Dr Shashi Sudan, Principal GMC, asserts, “Installation of the oxygen vessel is in itself a massive affair, might take a day. We are making all out efforts to ensure the patients do not suffer for want of healthcare at GMC Jammu, which is a premier tertiary care health institution in the region.”

It has been learnt that the liquid oxygen tank has been procured on rent basis for two years. Adding up the costs of installation, civil works, mechanical parts, license, and gas, the total cost of the project is said to be Rs 10 Crores 72 Lakhs.

Pertinent to mention here that on 24th September, J&K Administration had suspended two officials, including a Deputy Medical Superintendent over the shortage of oxygen supply to COVID19 patients and mismanagement at the hospital, which had led to the death of a patient.

Following this, GMC Jammu was frequented by senior government officials, and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha himself for a review of the situation. Financial Commissioner, Medical and Health Education Department, Atal Dulloo, during his visit in the first week of October, had asked the concerned officials to ensure adequate availability of oxygen, including buffer stock, besides daily report on daily utilization of oxygen.

In addition, he had said that a liquid oxygen tank will be installed in the premises by 31st October to meet the increasing demand.