After two days of continuous prodding by the district administration, the officials of Bharat Coking Company Limited have swung into action to improve the Covid Treatment Centre at its Central Hospital.

The BCCL administration has made arrangements for 25 flow meters to be installed with the oxygen cylinders at the 30 bed Covid ICU hospital.

The flow meters have been procured from Calcutta due to scarcity in the local market. They will be installed by Wednesday evening or Thursday. The hospital has 40 oxygen supported general beds for Covid patients.

On Tuesday, Uma Shankar Singh, Dhanbad Deputy Commissioner and chairman of District Disaster Management Authority, wrote to the chairman cum Managing Director of BCCL, PM Prasad, to clarify the status regarding the availability of oxygen cylinders in Central Hospital within 24 hours.

Singh in his letter to the CMD pointed out that as per complaints received at district Covid control room, it has been observed that despite the presence of 268 jumbo size D type oxygen cylinders and 49 B type oxygen cylinders the patients undergoing treatment are facing difficulties in uninterrupted oxygen supply. He also said that as per the complaints, the oxygen cylinders meant for the oxygen supported non ICU Covid beds are being used elsewhere.

BCCL CMD, PM Prasad, said, “I had a talk with the Deputy Commissioner this morning during which all concerns including that of oxygen cylinders were addressed.”

“The usage of oxygen cylinders were getting affected due to lack of flow meter in the local market but considering the gravity of the situation we have procured the same from Calcutta and consignment would be reaching very soon to be installed in oxygen cylinders,” he said.

“We are extending all cooperation to the administration to jointly fight the pandemic,” said the BCCL CMD.

On May 2, the DC wrote to the BCCL CMD to make deputation of sufficient number of qualified doctors, medical staff in Central Hospital and all other regional hospitals of BCCL and its other medical facilities within 24 hours by making rosters to address the swelling number of Covid patients.

Singh in his May 2 letter asked for improvement in the work pattern of doctors and medical staff of Central Hospital.