The death of four patients in Kurnool government hospital on Monday allegedly due to the negligence of the hospital staff has kicked up a big row.

State Health Minister Dr Kodela Sivaprasada Rao on Tuesday was forced to order an immediate inquiry by Kurnool zilla parishad Chief Executive Officer into the death, which occurred after the hospital staff allegedly did not provide oxygen to the patients in time.

The patients have been identified as Shaik Shah Wali (20), Alimi Reddy (45), Venkatalakshmi (45) and M Nagabhushanam (35).

Venkata Lakshmi was admitted to the hospital following brain haemorrhage, while Alimi Reddy was undergoing treatment for cirrhosis of liver, acute renal failure and pulmonary tuberculosis. ShaikWali was being treated for acute renal failure and Nagabhushanam was undergoing treatment after consuming poison in a bid to commit suicide.

Oxygen is supplied to the patients in the AMC ward through a centralised system and the oxygen cylinder has to be replaced as and when necessary. The relatives alleged that the patients died due to the failure of the staff to revive the supply after the cylinders exhausted.

The hospital superintendent Dr K Ramachandra, however, rejected the charge contending the patients died, as their condition was critical. He pointed out that the relatives were told about the dim chances of revival of the patients on Sunday night itself.

He said there was no interruption in the oxygen flow since there were 15 patients on oxygen in the AMC ward on Monday. If there was any problem with oxygen supply, it would have affected other patients also.

Soon after the news of the death of the four patients spread in the town, CPI and CPI-M activists rushed to the hospital staged a dharna and gheraoed the hospital superintendent.