IMA and AMC said the government need proper guidance
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Mumbai: Doctors in the state are upset ever since the government-imposed capping on oxygen use. According to the Indian Medical Council (IMA) and the Association of Medical Consultants (AMC), the apex associations of doctor’s government advisers are not giving them proper guidance and apprehend that it will only worsen the problem.
The government has decided to give only 6 liters per minute of oxygen for Covid patients admitted in normal wards and 12 liters per minute for patients admitted in ICU. The government issued the notification amidst reports of unaccounted consumption of oxygen.
Along with this, doctors have also been asked to curb the consumption of unnecessary oxygen. Doctors are very angry with this decision of the government. AMC, an association of 12,000 doctors working as consultants in private hospitals in Mumbai, has also expressed their displeasure.
AMC President Dr Deepak Baid said that “I myself am treating Corona patients at Rajawadi Hospital. A Corona patient admitted in a normal ward needs 6 to 10 liters per minute and a patient admitted in the ICU ward needs 30 to 60 liters per minute oxygen when a high flow nasal mask is applied.”
The government suggests to treat a covid patient admitted in a normal ward at 12 liters per minute, how is this possible. Speaking of Mumbai, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has closed all CCC 2 centers. Oxygen generating machines were installed in these centers. These machines took oxygen from the atmosphere and gave it to the patient. There was no need for an oxygen cylinder then, but now after the closure of the centers, the patient is being sent to the Jumbo Covid Care Facility where there is no machine and he has to depend on an oxygen cylinder.
A senior official from the health department on condition of anonymity said that the government has taken a wise decision. The decision has been taken only after consulting the doctors to curb the consumption of oxygen.
Don’t blame the doctors
IMA President Dr. Avinash Bhondwe said that the government should not blame doctors for everything. It is not right to point the finger at doctors once again regarding oxygen consumption. Doctors are angry with one decision after another of the government and they want the government to run its own private hospital.
Doctors’ suggestions
Physician at ACS Health and Wellness Ashish Tiwari said that the order of the state government is not practical. If a patient needs 20 liters per minute, will the doctor show him a copy of this order and give him only 12 liters?