In a tragic incident at the Civil Hospital in Jalandhar, three patients lost their lives following a sudden drop in oxygen pressure on Sunday night. The event occurred around 8 PM and has led to widespread concern, prompting an immediate inquiry from the Punjab state government.

According to early reports, the oxygen disruption happened during a changeover in the oxygen supply system, reportedly due to a technical fault. All three deceased patients were admitted in the hospital's Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and were in critical condition.

Technical Fault Identified as Initial Cause

Authorities stated that the oxygen supply issue occurred due to a technical fault. Civil Surgeon Dr. Vinay Kumar, who is also the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), explained that the supply was restored swiftly:

"There was a technical fault due to which oxygen supply reduced a bit. Backup cylinders were started immediately. The technical fault was rectified within five to ten minutes," said Dr. Kumar.

The doctor added that all three patients were already severely ill, suffering from conditions like multiple organ failure, lung consolidation, and substance addiction.

Government Reaction and Immediate Action

Punjab Health Minister Balbir Singh rushed to the hospital following the reports of patient deaths. While addressing the media, he clarified that the oxygen supply drop lasted briefly, and assured the public that a detailed probe is underway. He stated:

"These patients were in critical condition… The supply dropped for maybe 1–2 minutes… We have called a team from Chandigarh to investigate. A report will be ready in 48 hours."

The minister emphasized that it was too early to link the deaths directly to the oxygen disruption but assured accountability if negligence is proven.

Inquiry Committee Formed

Deputy Commissioner Dr. Himanshu Aggarwal confirmed the formation of an investigation committee, which will submit a report after evaluating all factors involved. He said:

"We are trying to determine the actual cause and ensure such an incident does not happen again. If the deaths occurred due to someone's fault, strict action will be taken."

He also added that preliminary findings from the civil surgeon indicate that the three patients died over a span of 10 to 15 minutes, not simultaneously, which could help investigators assess individual medical conditions and oxygen flow data at the time of death.

Details on the Deceased

While the hospital has not released full identities, initial information reveals that the deceased were all ICU patients. One was reportedly suffering from multiple organ failure, another had severe pulmonary complications, and the third was a known drug addict, highlighting their fragile health prior to the incident.

Political and Administrative Response

The Punjab government, under rising pressure from the public and medical community, is treating the incident with utmost seriousness. The Health Minister’s visit to the hospital was accompanied by multiple administrative officials, including the civil surgeon, technical support staff, and emergency response personnel.

A team of medical experts from Chandigarh is expected to arrive and review the oxygen delivery system, backup procedures, and ICU monitoring logs. The goal is to identify if any standard operating procedures (SOPs) were violated and to ensure preventive measures are implemented.

Hospital Infrastructure and Preparedness Under Scrutiny

This incident has brought renewed focus on the state of hospital infrastructure and equipment maintenance in Punjab. Civil hospitals, especially in Tier-2 cities like Jalandhar, often face budgetary and technical constraints. The COVID-19 pandemic had already highlighted oxygen supply vulnerabilities, and this event has further underlined the urgency for systemic reforms.

Medical experts are calling for:

• Automated alarm systems for oxygen pressure drops

• Mandatory SOP adherence for oxygen changeover procedures

• Regular maintenance and drills involving technical and emergency teams

• Documentation and training on oxygen backup activation protocols

Public Reaction and Concerns

Social media was flooded with grief, anger, and questions following the news. Many users shared experiences about delays in hospital responses and demanded accountability from the health department.

Several local NGOs and civil groups are also planning to write to the Punjab State Human Rights Commission to investigate whether the tragedy could have been prevented.

Next Steps

The investigation committee is expected to:

• Review ICU monitoring logs and CCTV footage

• Evaluate the functionality of oxygen valves and backup cylinders

• Interview hospital staff present during the incident

• Establish a timeline of the oxygen disruption and medical responses

• Recommend short-term and long-term safety protocols

The final report is expected within 48 hours, and depending on the findings, the Punjab government may announce disciplinary actions, policy changes, or even legal steps if negligence is proven.

Conclusion

The deaths of three ICU patients at Jalandhar Civil Hospital due to an oxygen supply fault has shocked the medical community and the general public. While state officials have moved quickly to promise accountability, this incident underscores the need for better infrastructure, real-time response systems, and rigorous monitoring mechanisms in government hospitals.

As the probe unfolds, the state awaits the findings with hope that it will lead to meaningful reforms that prevent such tragedies in the future and ensure that no lives are lost due to lapses in critical care delivery.

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