Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
Minister Dr. Balbir Singh announces suspension of doctors over Jalandhar Hospital Oxygen tragedy
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh – Punjab Health Minister Balbir Singh has announced strict disciplinary action following the tragic deaths of three patients at Jalandhar Civil Hospital due to an oxygen supply disruption.
The Medical Superintendent Dr. Raj Kumar, Senior Medical Officer Dr. Surjit Singh, and Dr. Sonakshi have been suspended immediately. House Surgeon Dr. Shaminder Singh has been dismissed from service for negligence.
In a press conference, Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh detailed that the deaths were caused by gross administrative negligence despite no shortage of oxygen in the hospital.
The probe revealed that a non-technical employee was handling the hospital’s oxygen plant instead of a trained technician, resulting in a delay in switching to backup oxygen supply.
The patients who died were admitted to the trauma center’s ICU and included a 15-year-old snakebite victim, a 32-year-old man admitted for drug overdose treatment, and a 30-year-old tuberculosis patient. The oxygen supply disruption occurred due to a malfunction in the hospital's PSA oxygen plant, exacerbated by understaffing and failure of oxygen pressure sensors to alert staff in time.
Minister Balbir Singh indicated that those suspended could face dismissal without benefits if found guilty after a detailed inquiry. He also confirmed that the suspended doctors were asked to respond, and the government will take further action based on the final investigation report.
The tragedy has sparked outrage and calls for reforms to ensure such negligence does not recur, with the health department now conducting a time-bound inquiry into the incident.