Mangaluru: Lady Goschen hospital admits 23 pregnant women with Covid-19 in a week

MANGALURU: The Government Lady Goschen Hospital has admitted 23 pregnant women who had Covid-19 in May. Dr Durgaprasad M R, medical superintendent of the hospital, told TOI that among the 17 deliveries conducted, nine were C-section operations, and four were normal deliveries. One delivery happened in an ambulance and three abortions had to be conducted, but non-Covid factors also contributed to them.
Since September, our 24-bed dedicated Covid maternity block has been operational. “The number of Covid-19 cases fell to zero in February, and cases were being reported in single digits in March and April. With the services of the OBG department, KMC Hospital, we have geared up to fight the pandemic, and to increase the number of beds, based on the need. We have set up a separate labour room and an operation theatre for Covid-19 patients. Nearly 99% of the patients are asymptomatic, and only one newborn has tested positive so far,” he said.
Dr Durgaprasad is making sure that every Covid-19 patient’s case, who has delivered a baby and is discharged from the hospital, is followed up upon, till the mother completes her quarantine period. “For this we have created a WhatsApp group, which includes all district and taluk health officers. Once the mother who tested positive at the time of delivery is discharged, based on the details available on the Thayi card, the concerned junior health assistant is informed, and her telephone number is added to the group. She has to follow the case and post health updates of the patient, regularly on the WhatsApp group, till the patient completes the quarantine period. This is followed for patients outside the district too,” he said.
More than 50% of the patients who visit the hospital are from outside the district. Meanwhile, the hospital has sufficient oxygen supply and an obstetric ICU is dedicated to treat Covid-19 patients. On average, the hospital conducts 450-500 deliveries every month, and last October, a record 800 deliveries were conducted.