India's Oxygen Crisis in Hospitals: Why Engineers Fall Short and Oxygen Shortages Persist
The recent pandemic in India has highlighted a critical issue: the severe shortage of oxygen in hospitals. This crisis has been compounded by a deep-seated problem within the country's engineering community.
Oxygen Demand Surges Amid Pandemic
As the demand for oxygen continues to rise due to the surge in coronavirus patients, the country's hospitals are struggling to meet it. Coronavirus primarily affects the respiratory system, leading to increased demand for medical oxygen. Despite this doubling of need, there has been a lack of efforts to increase the capacity of oxygen cylinder producers.
Oxygen cylinders are crucial not only for hospitals but also for various industrial purposes. However, the pandemic has put an unprecedented strain on the supply chain, leading to a shortage that has impacted millions of lives.
The Role of Industry and Hospitals
The requirement of oxygen cylinders in industries has also grown concurrently with the increasing number of coronavirus patients. Hospitals and industries are now competing for limited oxygen supplies, highlighting the need for a coordinated effort to address this crisis.
Engineering Education and Its Impact
There is a stark divide in India between engineers and doctors, which has contributed to this crisis. Engineers, who are responsible for advancing technology and industrial production, often fail to address the basic needs of hospitals. For instance, India's medical community has accused some engineers of using their technical skills to develop health apps and technologies primarily for publicity purposes, rather than focusing on tangible solutions.
Perhaps one of the most significant issues is that many Indian engineers learn medicine in engineering colleges, leading to a propaganda that doctors are taught MBA-like courses. This misconception has fueled a narrative that doctors lack the necessary skill set to manage the current crisis. As a result, the focus has shifted away from ramping up oxygen supplies, and instead, there is an emphasis on legal actions and medical negligence suits.
While it is crucial to hold medical professionals accountable, the primary focus should be on ensuring that hospitals have the necessary resources, particularly oxygen.
Addressing the Crisis: Steps Forward
Addressing the oxygen crisis requires a multifaceted approach. Firstly, there must be a dedicated effort to increase the production capacity of oxygen cylinders. This involves supporting and investing in companies that produce these vital supplies. Secondly, the government and relevant authorities need to ensure that hospitals and industries can work together to allocate resources more effectively.
Lastly, it is essential to reform education and training programs, ensuring that engineers and medical professionals are equipped with the skills to collaborate effectively and prioritize patients' needs.
India's ability to overcome this oxygen crisis lies in the hands of its engineers, medical professionals, and policymakers. It is time to rise above the petty disagreements and focus on a united front to save lives.
Keywords: oxygen shortage, Indian hospitals, engineering inefficiency