By Sant Kumar Sharma
Jammu, May 15: The oxygen generation plants (OGPs) set up in the recent past in the Jammu region in the past one month have ramped up the capacity from 2,450 LPM (Litre Per Minute) to 13,800 LPM, according to officials. This is less than half as compared to 27,000 LPM capacity available in various hospitals in Kashmir in the government sector. It bears mention here that in Jammu region, spread over 26,000 square kilometres, OGPs are available only in Jammu and some district headquarters in six of 10 districts in the region. In comparison, OGPs are available in 34 government hospitals dotting an area of less than 16,000 square kilometres.
Every single district in Kashmir, 10 in all, has more than one OGP in the government sector. A very small district like Kulgam, carved out of Ananatnag, has two OGPs of 1,000 LPM capacity and 350 LPM capacity. Srinagar district, spread over just 294 square kilometres, has at least a dozen (12) functional OGPs, with a total oxygen generation capacity of 15,175 LPM, spread over eight hospitals. That also means that the Srinagar district of Kashmir alone has 15,175 LPM capacity as compared to 13,800 LPM capacity created over the entire Jammu region.
This clearly means that the people in Jammu have far more difficulties and have to travel much further and farther to have an oxygen supported bed.
Is it right to ask the question how many oxygen supported beds can be created by optimally using 13,800 LPM generation capacity in the Jammu region?
Similarly, how many oxygen supported beds can be created by an optimal utilisation of 27,000 LPM generation capacity in the Kashmir region?
If truth be told, clearly more oxygen supported beds can be made functional in Srinagar district alone with a capacity of 15,175 LPM of oxygen generation capacity. As compared to the entire Jammu region with a capacity of only 13,800 LPM oxygen generation capacity. The oxygen generation capacity of the entire Jammu region government hospitals is less (15,175-13,800= 1,375) as compared to one district alone.
Of course, there are other variables that are needed and should be factored in. But these variables are available in the public domain officially and can be cross checked. These figures are all official figures, collated from the data available in the official records. These figures are also of current nature, at best less than a week old.
Now, about the additional generation capacity for oxygen generation being added in the government sector over the next few months. According to official data, at least 52 new generation plants are being set up throughout J&K. Of these, 29 are being set up in the Jammu region and 23 in Kashmir valley.
When the new oxygen generation plants become operational, the total number of such plants in Kashmir will go up to 57 (34=23= 57). Similarly, when the current phase of setting up all oxygen generation plants is over in the Jammu region, the total number of plants will touch 41 (12+29= 41). The generation capacity in the Kashmir region will then stand at around 57,000 LPM spread over 57 government hospitals. In Jammu, the overall generation capacity will go up to around 47,000 LPM, clearly 10,000 LPM lesser than Kashmir and spread over 41 locations only as compared to 57 in Kashmir.
It is a common saying that comparisons are odious but one can’t help but collate it to juxtapose, for more effective interpretation. But it is equally true that statistics have their own way of revealing, or at least suggesting, and pointing fingers, and drawing our attention to facts. Shorn of all semblance of decorum, and naked truths. A definition of statistics perhaps can touch a bit of humour here, though it seems out of place here in this context. The definition says that statistics are like bikini bathing suits, and whatever they reveal is suggestive and whatever they conceal is vital.
The comparative figures from the two regions conceal a lot of truths, facts which need to be bared and paraded naked before the people, shorn of all embellishments. Incidentally, for the past fortnight, one thing has been observed that the mortality in the Jammu region is much, much higher as compared to Kashmir. Are these because of far lesser oxygen supported beds in Jammu? Officials can confirm or deny. Of course, with statistics.
