Please return the cylinder once used

Hospitals in many states complained about the shortage of oxygen supply. As the cases surged, the distress calls for oxygen began. Shortage of the medical oxygen during this time period led to multiple deaths, as the families of the patients cried out for help from the government authorities, by tweeting, by calling any leads they get. All this propelled the public towards panic and fear of losing their dear ones.

Many organisations, private institutions, volunteers and individuals have come forward to provide oxygen cylinders to the door-steps of the people who are quarantined at home. While nothing comes for free in this world, some of them believe this to be a servitude and are providing the cylinders at free of cost.

Mr Purav Patel, has been volunteering since the Bhuj earthquake of 2001. Currently, he has been providing oxygen cylinders at the homes of the needy for free of cost saying it to be his ‘seva dharam’. The cylinders are provided strictly after proper documentation and after a deposit of Rs. 10,000, which is 100% refundable after they receive the cylinder back. He said that he has delivered 3,000-3,500 bottles of oxygen cylinders. On being asked how many has been returned to him after use, he said, “We are trying to recover our bottles by calling up people and asking them that if they do not require a bottle, please give it back to us. Around 700 bottles are yet to be recovered.” The patients are called up first, but according to him many of them provide fake numbers and fake addresses. When asked about what could be the possible reason behind such a behaviour, he said that people are panicking and fear that they may need it for future use. He further added that the main reason behind the shortage is people are using up the entire oxygen cylinder within one day even if the patient’s Oxygen level rises upto 89-90.

Mr. Patel appealed that as it is the demand for oxygen is high but availability is low, so people have to be careful and be cautious with their Oxygen usage. There’s a guideline that the doctor provides to the patient who is getting treated at home, and the patient and family members should strictly adhere to that. Only when oxygen is truly required, it should be asked for. He concluded by saying that in the last 2-3 days, the demand for oxygen cylinders has decreased.

While the government is yet to flatten the curve, this excerpt is an eye-opener how panic buying of an Oxygen cylinder, which is the requirement of the hour, can cost the life of someone else.