By Express News Service
NEW DELHI: Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandawiya on Wednesday hit back at the Delhi government saying it was asked to share data on deaths due to oxygen shortage during the second Covid wave, however, it has not done so.
On Tuesday, Delhi deputy CM Manish Sisodia had said that his government had not received any letter from the Centre inquiring about deaths in the national capital due to the oxygen crisis.
“Here is the copy of the mail sent by my ministry to the Delhi government on 26th July. It’s not too late yet!,” tweeted Mandwiya.
“You can send the data by 13th August so that we can answer the question to Parliament. Please review with your officers and send the necessary data as soon as possible,” he also wrote.
He also shared a copy of the question asked, which not only seeks the number of such deaths but also whether any inquiry was ordered into such deaths and action taken against people accused of hoarding medicine and oxygen in this crucial period.
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The government had late last month asked the details of deaths that took place due to the paucity of medicines and medical equipment like oxygen cylinders in hospitals in April and May.
On Tuesday, Lav Agarwal, joint secretary in the Union health ministry, had said in a press briefing on Covid19 stats that only one state has till now reported a “suspected” death due to oxygen shortage while others, in their replies, have not mentioned any such mishaps.
He, however, did not name the state.
In July, the ministry in response to a query in the Parliament had said that states have not provided any information on deaths of Covid patients in hospitals due to lack of oxygen, drawing sharp criticism from the opposition and various other quarters.