Fearing shortage, locals stock up medical oxygen cylinders

Mahesh Sharma

Mandi Ahmedgarh, September 15

Alarmed over the trouble faced by the family of his friend, who got infected with Covid-19, in arranging a medical oxygen cylinder, Rajesh Kumar (name changed), a local resident, bought two such cylinders to meet any emergency situation.

He said: “I saw the plight of my friend’s family members in the wake of shortage of oxygen and his deteriorating condition. I thus decided to keep a couple of oxygen cylinders at home.”

Rajesh is not alone. The Tribune has found that a number of residents are stocking medical oxygen.

A local chemist said: “The demand for medical oxygen and other equipment required with it has gone up. Fearing shortage, locals are buying it even if there is no requirement as of now.”

Giving in to the panicky situation, another local resident, Piyush Goyal (name changed), has also kept an oxygen cylinder at his home. He said: “Given the rise in the number of cases, it is better to be prepared for any situation. Many people suffering from flu-like symptoms have installed the facility at their homes.”

Epidemiologist Dr Surveen and District Nodal Officer for the pandemic Dr Upasna Bindra claimed that there was no reason to worry.

Dr Surveen said: “There is no scarcity of medical oxygen in the district. There is also no restriction on residents wanting to install the facility at their homes.”

Meanwhile, suppliers are finding it difficult to meet the rising demand. “It is profitable for us to sell medical oxygen in retail. We have started getting orders to install the facility from neighbouring areas. We are thus finding it a little difficult to meet the demand,” said a supplier.