Denied admission by Mayo, +ve man travels with family to Amravati hosp

Nagpur: After testing positive for Covid-19, a 33-year-old man from Sahakar Nagar at Kharbi, was forced to travel to Amravati with his wife and children, and get admitted at the state government-run Superspeciality Hospital there. He has alleged Indira Gandhi Government Medical College and Hospital (IGGMCH), also run by the state, denied him admission in Covid presumptive ward.
NGO Together We Can, which contacts positive persons for daily update of health status and location on behalf of Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), came across this case.
The man told TOI, “I was having severe breathlessness and fever on August 28. I went to a private hospital, which did CAT scan of my chest. The doctor advised me to also get test for Covid-19 done. I gave swab samples at NMC testing centre.”
The reports were to come after a day or two. Since the man was afraid, as doctor at private hospital had said CAT scan report showed symptoms of novel coronavirus, he went to IGGMCH and tried to get admitted “I showed CAT scan reports there. The doctor said there were no beds available in IGGMCH. He gave a prescription to be taken at home. I returned home as I had no other option. I started to take medicines suggested by doctor of private hospital. My test report came positive next day,” he said.
The man added, “I have been living in Nagpur for last 10 years. My native place is Daryapur in Amravati district, where my parents live. I consulted relatives there, who recommended the good facilities at Amravati government hospital. We hired a vehicle and I went to Daryapur with my family. An ambulance came to my home to pick me up after I contacted the municipal council told them I had tested positive. I was admitted in Superspeciality Hospital at Amravati, where I am undergoing treatment for last 8 days.”
IGGMCH doctors did not respond to TOI calls and messages.
As per guidelines, IGGMCH and GMCH are supposed to admit suspected patients in presumptive ward, take samples and start treatment. But the two hospitals are reportedly denying admission citing lack of beds and insufficient manpower.
The man also said he did not consult private hospitals for admission in Nagpur as he had heard they do not entertain medical insurance and charge a lot.
However, the man did not consult NMC’s helpline number (0712-2567021). The civic body has started 24X7 helpline where any person can call and know vacancy in government and private hospitals. The patients can even lodge complaints if they are not getting beds in any hospital.
TOI had on August 12 reported a case where a comorbid patient was not admitted after collection of samples at GMCH. He had died at home a day later, before receiving his reports.
TOI has been highlighting how Covid as well as non-Covid patients are finding it difficult to get beds in government as well as private hospitals. Some positive patients from the city are admitted in Covid hospitals at Kamptee too.