After at least 22 Covid patients allegedly died when Agra’s Paras Hospital conducted an oxygen cut mock drill to check who all were vulnerable with a video having gone viral on social media, Opposition parties have been constantly attacking the Yogi Adityanath government on the issue. The hospital administration has been accused of deliberately stopping the supply of oxygen and killing 22 patients.
The case came to light when a video surfaced of Paras Hospital owner Dr Arinjay Jain describing a so-called ‘mock drill’ in which oxygen supply was shut down for five minutes. In the viral video, he mentions that 22 patients showed severe hypoxia symptoms during the mock drill and their hands and feet turned blue. It is alleged that these 22 patients later died and their deaths were covered up.
As the issue got serious, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered the sealing of Paras Hospital.
Agra DM Prabhu N. Singh said, “No patient has died due to lack of oxygen supply in the hospital. However, the entire matter is being investigated and action will be taken by registering a case under the Epidemic Diseases Act. The police will conduct an investigation. The hospital is being sealed and all 55 patients are being shifted out.”
Necessary instructions have been given to the CMO in this regard. At the same time, Health Minister Jai Pratap Singh said that further statements can be said in this matter only after the investigation is done.
Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday slammed the Adityanath government over reports that Paras Hospital cut off oxygen supply for five minutes in a “mock drill” in April. Priyanka also tweeted the video in which Dr Arinjay Jain, the owner of Paras Hospital, is heard saying that the oxygen supply was cut off for five minutes and 22 people died during that period.
Rahul Gandhi condemned the incident, hitting out at the ruling BJP. “There is a severe shortage of both oxygen and humanity under the BJP rule,” he said in his tweet, calling for action against those responsible for the “dangerous crime”. He also offered his condolences to the families of those who died allegedly due to the oxygen shortage.