BENGALURU: A 31-year-old, Covid-positive man died in the wee hours of Saturday in Bengaluru after he was rushed to three hospitals in search of a ventilator. While the BBMP has initiated a probe, the death is a pointer to the shortage of beds for seriously ill patients.
The patient, a resident of Padmanabhanagar, tested positive on April 9 and was in home isolation. He developed acute hypoxia (oxygen deprivation) on Friday evening and was taken to Bhagwan Mahaveer Jain Hospital in Vasanthnagar around 8.30pm in a private ambulance. Mercy Mission, an NGO working on the Covid front, helped the family book an ICU bed through the 108 Arogya Kavacha ambulance service.
By the time, he reached the hospital, there was no ICU bed available and the family sought a bed in the Girinagar branch of the hospital. The booking was again done through 108.
BBMP issues showcause notice to hosp
When he reached there, his oxygen saturation level was 40% as against the normal 95%. He was treated at a high dependency unit and put on oxygen support.
“While his oxygen saturation level initially improved, it fell to single digits despite giving 12 litres of oxygen. He was required to be on a ventilator, but we didn’t have a ventilator bed vacant. His condition was worsening,” said Dr Reshma S, unit head, Bhagwan Mahaveer Jain hospital, Girinagar branch. Around 1am Saturday, he was moved to a private hospital near Koramangala but died around 4am.
While the patient’s family was not available for comment, Dr (Wing Commander) MD Marker, medical director, Bhagwan Mahaveer Jain Hospital (Vasanthnagar) said by the time the patient came, the ventilator beds were full. “On Friday evening, we had two sick patients brought in requiring ICU treatment. This patient came around 9pm. We could not have removed the life support system of one patient to accommodate the patient referred by BBMP,” he said. BBMP Chief Health Officer Dr BK Vijendra said: “We have sought details and inquiring into the case.” Authorities at 108 ambulance service said they only did bed blocking for the patient and he was not ferried in a ventilator-fitted ambulance.
BBMP issued a showcause notice to Bhagwan Mahaveer Jain Hospital, Vasanthnagar, asking why the patient was denied a bed even though the booking was done through the centralised hospital bed management system .