Action against those responsible for Chamarajanagar tragedy, says Min Suresh Kumar

Bengaluru: Primary and Secondary Education Minister S Suresh Kumar has said that a probe will be initiated and stern action will be taken against those responsible for not supplying medical oxygen on time to the Chamarajanagar district hospital causing the deaths of 24 patients.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Kumar said that the State’s chief secretary, chief minister’s secretary and the State’s oxygen supply officer DIG Pratap Reddy have taken steps to ensure a timely supply of oxygen to the district.

“All 24 deaths at the Chamarajanagar hospital were not due to lack of oxygen. There was a shortage of oxygen between 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm last night. The deaths occurred between yesterday and today morning,” he said.

He added that he will be going to Chamarajanagar soon and will personally review the situation.

“Most people are not hospitalizing immediately after symptoms appear but do so on reaching a very late stage in the disease. Our aim is to save everybody. However, there are instances of people dying in hospital after they admitted themselves after their situation had worsened,” he said.

“I will find out after I visit Chamarajanagar whether oxygen supply from Mysuru was blocked to the district. Appropriate action will be taken against those responsible for this,” the minister added.

“Relevant authorities have already been requested to restart the shut oxygen plant in Mysuru. Once the necessary permission to restart the plant is obtained oxygen will be supplied unhindered to Chamarajanagar,” Suresh Kumar said.