ICU beds in Covid hospitals full for last two days

Nagpur: A doctor-cum-social activist, who has been working for Covid-19 positive patients and cremation of deceased for last six months, failed to get an ICU bed for his mother-in-law in private hospitals across the city on Monday. The city has started to face severe shortage of ICU beds for critical Covid patients over the last two days.
The doctor told TOI on the condition of anonymity his mother-in-law was detected with infection in lungs in CAT scan a day ago. She tested positive for Covid-19 on Monday.
“She needs treatment in ICU. I contacted over five private hospitals and did not get an ICU bed. I had no option but to admit her in a private hospital at Kamptee which does not have ICU bed. At least she is getting oxygen there while I am try for a bed in ICU,” he said.
Asked about GMCH and IGGMCH, the doctor said, “I did not consult these two government-run hospitals as I already knew they are facing shortage of beds in ICU.”
Family members of a 60-year-old Covid-19 positive patient from Vishwakarma Nagar took the patient to GMCH and IGGMCH on Sunday but could not get a bed. They also contacted NGO Together We Can but could not find a bed as the patient requires treatment in ICU.
The family members reportedly took the patient back home, purchased an oxygen cylinder and other required equipment on rent, and are taking care of the patient.
Parents of a 4-month-old kid from Saoner and a 2.5-year-old child from Washim too waited for beds in GMCH for four hours on Monday and could not get admission. They were referred to IGGMCH, where too they were yet to get a bed till the filing of this report.
Citing problems in oxygen supply, GMCH has not been admitting critical Covid-19 patients for last two days. With rise in patients, GMCH requires high pressure in oxygen supply.
Pipeline laid from oxygen tank to wards is of 40mm diameter while it requires 28mm diameter pipeline. Work of laying the pipeline has been completed. But it requires shut down of at least 30 minutes to shift system from old pipeline to new.
The NMC Control Room said, “Private hospitals and two trust-run hospitals at Hingna are not accepting critical patients and senior citizens citing ‘no vacancy’ in ICU for last two days.”
Convener of Vidarbha Hospitals Association Dr Anup Marar confirmed severe shortage of ICU beds. “Even patients already admitted in private hospitals and on oxygen supply are not able to get bed in ICU,” he said.
Denying this, NMC additional commissioner Jalaj Sharma said there are total 450 beds in ICU. “So, there should not be any problem. ICU beds are needed for only critical patients. There would be no problem if patients get admitted and take treatment from onset of symptoms,” he said.
Dr Marar added critical care health infrastructure in private as well as government hospitals will not be able to withstand the projected tsunami of cases in coming weeks.
“Communities and NGOs under supervision of respective zonal medical officers should arrange for beds with oxygen in community places to provide timely oxygen therapy for needy colony residents. Volunteers are also required for bedside care of needy patients. People should come forward to volunteer and assist health care service providers,” he said.
Dr Marar also said, “Time and again, public have been sensitized to the need to be careful and responsible. People should note the frustration and agony of relatives unable to get a hospital bed for their breathless patient today. Still, people are roaming around coolly. The health infrastructure is stretched to maximum and health care workers are struggling.”
Dr Marar favours immediate complete lockdown for two weeks at least to stall community spread. “Please note that the safest place now is inside a Covid ward, since one is wearing complete PPE kit while you are totally exposed to infection outside. All should now consider every other person as Covid positive and maintain distance, wear mask and follow hand sanitization guidelines strictly,” he said.