There was panic all over India over scarcity of liquid oxygen. The donors around the world including concerned Indians shipped concentrators and even oxygen plants. The custom duty was also waived. The supply outstretched demand and hospitals all over India were helpless to help needy patients to breathe. Many died waiting outside hospitals on stretchers, ambulances, including many admitted in hospitals. It was a sorry state none had foreseen or planned. India unmindfully exported oxygen stocks.
It was Centre’s responsibility for supplies and States responsibility to distribute judiciously. The blame game is being continuously shifted.
Now another bloomer adding salt to the wounds. No deaths reported officially to Centre due to oxygen deficiency. It is the case with 18 BJP ruled states also though Delhi alone is selectively being flogged to divert attention. It is finally concluded that the ICRM form for reporting deaths does not have provisions for oxygen deficiency mortality. The Centre on mere technicality released the statistics without applying its mind or bothering to verify the known real truth.
Can the States now be requested to resubmit corrected deaths due to oxygen deficiency? For the Centre to spread such lies does not suit well in the public well recorded proofs. The deaths due to Covid in India are grossly underestimated due to various reasons and may not be concluded as deliberate to hide the facts.
