Srinagar: Reports of patients suffering from power outages as Kashmir sees a 30% surge in oxygen demand in winters.
Despite enhanced oxygen facilities post-Covid, patients at home face issues due to unscheduled power interruptions, said Junaid Ahmad of Breath Zone company.
While some patients rely on backups such as inverters or generators to run oxygen concentrators, those from economically weaker families, particularly those in remote areas suffer most, he said.
Invasive ventilators and CPAP machines, essential for sleep apnea patients, are affected by power cuts, worsening challenges for around 10% of the population, according to Ahmad.
“During power crises, patients turn to various NGOs for cylinders, but the temporary relief provided by these cylinders lasts only a few hours,” he added.
Faisal Ahmad from JK Gases company said that as winter starts, the demand for oxygen, particularly in cylinders, surges.
“The frequent unscheduled power cuts since October lead to an uptick in emergency calls, especially during night hours when patients have no alternative but to rely on oxygen cylinders,” he said.
“We have to generate more oxygen by around 30 percent in winters as compared to summer due to the demand, but due to electricity crisis, sometimes generation also gets affected,” he added.
Faisal said that one cylinder lasts only four hours; then the patient has to take another cylinder. However, it is possible only for patients in city or town and those living in far-flung areas suffer badly.
Experts said that there is an increased reliance on oxygen for asthma and heart patients during winter, as closed doors and windows become essential to escape the cold.
(KNO)