Seven COVID-19 positive patients died in Peshawar's Khyber Teaching Hospital (KTH), on Saturday, due to a shortage of oxygen cylinders. The hospital administration had requested cylinders from Rawalpindi which did not arrive on time.

The spokesperson of the KTH said that the hospital received oxygen supply from Rawalpindi and due to reasons, yet unclear, the requested oxygen cylinders did not reach the hospital on time. He also added that the demand for oxygen increases in winter.

The Finance and Health Minister of Khyber-Pakhtunkhawa Taimur Khan Jhagra has taken the notice of the tragic incident. In a Tweet, he said:

"There was an incident at KTH last night involving a shortage of oxygen supply. I have directed the BoG to conduct an immediate inquiry & take action within 48 hours. If found unsatisfactory, or if otherwise required, the govt will immediately order its own independent inquiry."

Jhagra further added that all the details regarding the incident will be made public.

"All the facts of the case will be made public. A request meanwhile to not circulate unverified information on social media. Neither this, nor any other incident will be left unused, to improve the health system; it's service; and it's system of accountability and transparency."