PESHAWAR: Seven officers have been suspended after six coronavirus patients lost their lives when oxygen ran out at the Khyber Teaching Hospital in Peshawar.

One patient was admitted to the intensive care unit of the hospital, while five of them were in isolation ward.

KP Health Minister Taimur Jhagra and Chief Minister Mahmood Khan have taken notice of the incident.

The preliminary probe report revealed that oxygen tanks were never filled to the capacity and the hospital did not have any kind of backup for oxygen. The contract of the hospital with the oxygen company expired in June 2017. The contract was not extended on paper since then, however the supply chain manager had in June 2020 reportedly confirmed extension of the agreement on phone.

The oxygen tank at the hospital was filled last week by 3,040 cubic meters. Staff responsible for managing oxygen plant did not have proper technical training. When the oxygen pressure was low, the two persons on duty at the plant were absent.

Later, 100 oxygen cylinders were found on pointing out of oxygen plant supervisor Naimat. While, 20 other cylinders were recovered from oxygen store after breaking its lock.

Thank you to BoG KTH for directly supervising the inquiry & completing their work within 24 hrs. A sombre moment; please spare a prayer for the bereaved families.
We committed to make the report public. Hospitals across the country may learn from the systemic failures here. pic.twitter.com/yENhDrctWJ

— Taimur Khan Jhagra (@Jhagra) December 7, 2020

1. There was an incident at KTH last night involving a shortage of oxygen supply.
I have directed the BoG to conduct an immediate inquiry & take action within 48 hours. If found unsatisfactory, or if otherwise required, the govt will immediately order its own independent inquiry.

— Taimur Khan Jhagra (@Jhagra) December 6, 2020