Give data on oxygen deaths before Parliament session ends: Govt to states

New Delhi, July 27

The Union Health Ministry today asked the states to provide specific data on deaths due to oxygen shortage.

Sources said a letter had been sent to the states in this regard. “The details of state-wise and UT-wise deaths due to oxygen shortage at the peak of the second wave have been sought.

It has also been requested that the data be shared with the Centre before the conclusion of the ongoing monsoon session,” sources said. The government might make another statement in Parliament on the issue, correcting its earlier position, sources added.

Vax for kids in Aug?

Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya told MPs at the BJP parliamentary party meeting that a Covid vaccine for children could be available as early as August. He said Bharat Biotech and Zydus Cadila trials on children were progressing well.

Earlier, when Minister of State for Health Bharati Pawar told Parliament that states had not flagged any death due to oxygen shortage, the Centre was attacked for insensitivity. Today, Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya reiterated that the Centre only compiled the list of deaths the states shared. — TNS