RAWALPINDI: Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner (DC) Anwarul Haq has directed the police and district officials to launch severe action against all such elements who were involved in creating an artificial shortage of oxygen cylinders in the city.
Sources said that the health department teams have directed over 1,000 novel coronavirus patients to observe self-isolation at their homes.
With some of these patients experiencing moderate symptoms and requiring supplemental oxygen, several companies and distributors of oxygen cylinders and refillers are minting millions of rupees by creating an artificial shortage of oxygen.
Sources further said that apathetic businessmen are taking advantage of sick people who require oxygen to support their compromised respiratory system.”This is causing financial difficulties for infected patients who are isolating at their homes,” the sources added.
Sources noted that before the pandemic, the cost of refilling a nine-kilogram cylinder was just Rs200. However, this has escalated by 750% and a cylinder is now being refilled for Rs1, 500.
Earlier, the Supreme Court had ordered the federal and provincial governments to take severe action against hoarders of anti-virus chemicals, life-saving drugs, and equipment used in the treatment of the COVID-19 patients.
As per details, the apex court bench, headed by Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed, issued the written orders in the COVID-19 ‘suo motu’ case on Friday.
According to the court order, “We direct the relevant regulatory authorities, enforcement agencies and respective health ministries of the federal as well as provincial governments to ensure availability of all requisite equipment used for detection, monitoring and treatment of the disease at reasonable prices.
“Ensure adequate and sufficient supply and availability of drugs, oxygen and equipment used in the treatment of the disease at reasonable prices,” the court order read.
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