Jamui: Both oxygen plants at Jamui Sadar Hospital have been out of service for nearly a month, forcing the hospital to depend entirely on oxygen cylinders for patients in need. The situation turned critical on Sunday when an elderly woman’s condition worsened due to the unavailability of oxygen supply.
According to reports, 65-year-old Ahilya Devi, a resident of Lakshmipur block, was admitted to the hospital’s emergency ward with severe breathing difficulties. Her daughter, Kajal Kumari, said that oxygen was not immediately available because both plants were non-functional and three of the four flow meters in the emergency ward were also out of order.
For nearly 20 minutes, the patient was deprived of oxygen. Later, emergency staff and security personnel brought an oxygen cylinder and administered it to her, saving her life. However, due to her deteriorating condition, doctors referred her to Patna for advanced treatment.
Plants Installed During COVID-19 Now Defunct
Two oxygen plants were installed at Jamui Sadar Hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic using funds from the Prime Minister’s and Chief Minister’s schemes. However, both units have been non-functional for the past month, reportedly due to the absence of trained technicians.
To manage the shortfall, the hospital has been spending nearly ₹15,000 per day to procure 15 oxygen cylinders from outside sources. Hospital staff said the lack of maintenance and technical supervision has left the plants vulnerable to frequent breakdowns.
Technician Shortage Adds to the Crisis
Shravan Kumar, the technician who previously operated both oxygen plants round the clock, resigned a month ago. He said he had not received his salary for six months despite repeatedly writing to the District Magistrate and Civil Surgeon. Overwork and unpaid dues forced him to quit and join a private clinic.
“The compressor in the plant installed under the Chief Minister’s Care Scheme has malfunctioned, while the servo stabilizer in the plant built under the Prime Minister’s Care Scheme is also faulty,” said a hospital staff member. Both systems remain unrepaired due to the lack of technical support.
Hospital Administration Responds
Sadar Hospital Manager Ramesh Pandey said, “One oxygen plant is functioning now and the faulty flow meters in the emergency ward have been replaced. However, one plant is still under repair. Patients are being supplied oxygen through cylinders, and a letter has been sent to the department regarding the shortage of technicians.”
Despite the administration’s assurances, patients and their families continue to face difficulties due to the unreliable oxygen supply system. The recurring breakdowns at Jamui Sadar Hospital highlight persistent issues of poor maintenance, inadequate staffing, and delayed administrative response in Bihar’s healthcare infrastructure.
