Government of Assam shelves free oximeter plan

Undetected oxygen saturation prime cause of COVID deaths

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Dispur has shelved its plan to distribute pulse oximeters free of cost at a time when undetected oxygen saturation level remains one of the major causes of deaths due to COVID-19 infection.

In August this year, the State Health department had announced its plan to distribute oximeters among the COVID-19 positive patients who go for home isolation. The device would have helped the patients to constantly check their oxygen-saturation level.

"Even though some patients initially received free oximeters, the plan was never fully implemented due to the cost factor. Various studies conducted in the last few months had found that only 30 per cent COVID-19 positive patients in home isolation possessed oximeters. With continuous slide in the COVID-positivity rate in the State, the Health department has almost shelved its plan to distribute free oximeters," a source in Health department said.

Over 900 COVID-19 infected persons have so far died in the State; and late reporting of cases is the main reason for the mortality figures. "People are initially concealing the infection and reporting only when the oxygen saturation plummets. We are still registering six to seven deaths every day," Health Minister HimantaBiswaSarma said on Saturday.

Meanwhile, a senior doctor at a leading private hospital said that it is difficult to measure the oxygen saturation level at homes without pulse oximeters.

"Happy hypoxia has become a dangerous health condition. In such a condition, the COVID patient seems perfectly healthy and normal, could be even walking around without any apparent discomfort or talking to others. But there is just not enough oxygen in the blood among such patients; and that leads to the catastrophic heart failure. So, constant measuring of oxygen saturation is very crucial to save the COVID-infected persons," the doctor said.

DrGayatriGogoi, Assistant Professor of Pathology Department at the Assam Medical College & Hospital, Dibrugarh associated with the Assam Police's 'COVID Sentinel' project said that around 30% virus-infected persons in home isolation across Guwahati city don't have oximeters as they cannot afford to purchase the gadget. She further said that it is a matter of serious concern as oxygen saturation often pushes patients to a critical phase.

The 'Assam Police Wives' Welfare Association' recently donated 37 pulse oximeters to the 'Pratishruti Cancer & Palliative Trust' to help those COVID-19 infected persons or families who cannot afford to purchase such a valuable gadget.

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