Delhi govt procures 125 new ventilators

Delhi government has procured 125 new ventilators to add to the existing 80 following reports that Ambu-bags, manual hand-held devices which support breathing, were being used to resuscitate patients due to shortage of ventilators at its hospitals.

“Procured 125 new ventilators against existing 80. Installation likely in 15 -20 days,” Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal wrote on Twitter on Monday.

Kejriwal had on Sunday pulled up Health Minister Satyendar Jain over shortage of ventilators in hospitals who in turn sought to shift the blame to Lt Governor Najeeb Jung accusing the Health Secretary “appointed by him” of not reaching hospital to deal with a case of medical negligence.

“Satinder, this is unacceptable,” Kejriwal had tweeted.

Later, Jain wrote on Twitter, “There is a death in LNH due to negligence. I requested Sec health to reach Hospital with me. He refused to come saying unavailability of car.”

Jain blamed the L-G, saying he has appointed the “most incompetent” IAS officer as the health secretary. However, the secretary later reached the spot in an auto, sources said.