Oxygen plant closure hampers patients

BY GOKARNA DAYAL,Tulsipur, Oct. 5: After the outbreak of COVID-19, Rapti Provincial Hospital began producing oxygen from two oxygen plants. Among them, the plant provided by the Nepal Red Cross Society faced production problems, causing difficulties for patients who rely on oxygen.

Ram Bahadur Khatri, 90, of Tulsipur-9 suffers from respiratory issues and requires a regular oxygen cylinder at home. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, he had been refilling oxygen cylinders at Rapti Provincial Hospital for a minimal fee. However, after the hospital stopped providing the service on January 21, 2025, he has been forced to pay nearly double the cost outside. While Khatri previously refilled cylinders at the hospital for Rs. 600, he now pays Rs. 1,100 at private facilities.

According to Padamraj Neupane, Chairman of the Hospital Development Committee, both the hospital and the Red Cross had been operating two plants, but with only one functioning now, it has become difficult even to meet the demand of indoor patients. The hospital earlier refilled large cylinders for Rs. 600, medium ones for Rs. 500, and small ones for Rs. 400. Patients now pay Rs. 1,100, Rs. 800, and Rs. 600 respectively to refill cylinders outside.

Acting Hospital Chief Dr. Padamraj Adhikari said that the hospital had to stop providing the service due to recurring machine problems and the shortage of skilled technicians. According to him, the machine supplied by the Red Cross has completely stopped working, and the oxygen produced from the single remaining plant is not sufficient even for the hospital’s own patients. As a result, the hospital has suspended oxygen sales to the public. Adhikari said services will resume only after the machine is repaired.