Health authorities have ordered an immediate probe into the alleged delay in replacing an oxygen cylinder for a 90-year-old woman at the Civil Hospital in Paonta Sahib. The inquiry committee has been directed to submit its report by Monday.
Family Alleges Two-Hour Wait for Oxygen Replacement
The development follows a complaint from the family of Munga Devi, a resident of Baila-Gujon village in the Trans-Giri area of Sirmaur district. She had been admitted to the hospital with breathing difficulty.
According to her family, the oxygen cylinder attached to her bed became empty around 3 pm. They claim that despite repeated requests to hospital staff for a replacement, the cylinder was not changed until around 5 pm — leaving the patient without oxygen for roughly two hours.
Hospital Response and Inquiry Details
The alleged delay prompted the health authorities to step in and order an immediate investigation into the matter. The inquiry committee has been tasked with examining what happened and has been given a clear deadline to complete its work.
The committee has been directed to submit its report by Monday, which will determine the next steps in the case.
Our Take: Accountability is Key in Patient Care
To put it plainly, this is a serious allegation. For a 90-year-old patient admitted with breathing difficulty, even a short delay in oxygen supply can be dangerous. The family's claim that they had to wait two hours — despite making repeated requests — raises real questions about how attentively hospital staff monitor critical equipment.
The decision to order a probe is the right move. But an inquiry only matters if it leads to clear answers and accountability. If the delay is confirmed, the hospital must take corrective action so that no other patient has to go through a similar ordeal. Patients and their families trust hospitals to act quickly in emergencies — that trust must be protected.