Increase O2 beds by 20% to prep for another surge: Vij

Gurgaon: In view of a potential third Covid wave and possibly a bigger surge in cases, Haryana health minister Anil Vij on Tuesday directed all districts in the state to increase oxygen beds by 20% at the earliest.
Gurgaon, after the increase, will have more than 3,500-4,000 oxygen beds for Covid patients and around 1,000 beds for paediatric patients. In the 75 hospitals across the city treating Covid patients, there are 2,555 oxygen beds, including 294 ICU beds without ventilators and another 576 with ventilators. The city also has 809 beds for paediatric patients, including 287 ICU beds and another 89 with ventilators.
Vij, in videoconference with district health departments and administrations, highlighted the importance of preparedness for the third wave. He asked the districts to increase oxygen bed availability up to the community health centre level.
Yash Garg, deputy commissioner of Gurgaon, said: “The preparation to tackle a third wave is ongoing. This time, we are only focusing on increasing oxygen beds. We will have 30-32 PSA plants in Gurgaon by July 30. We have already directed all private hospitals to increase their capacity and to ensure that there is no shortage of drugs,”
Meanwhile, the districts have been asked to carry out assessment and inspection of dedicated Covid care centres, hospitals and ensure that Covid norms are followed at public places and functions. Vij added that Covid monitoring committees would be constituted in every district.
In Haryana, currently, there are 409 beds available in 24 special newborn care units (SNCU) and for paediatric patients, there are 294 beds in 22 district hospitals. A total of 170 ventilators, 482 BiPAP, and 103 HFNC are available for paediatric use.
Currently, there are 13 contractual and 54 regular paediatricians in the state, which will be increased soon, according to the health department. “We have already directed all hospitals in Gurgaon to increase their paediatric beds,” Dr Virender Yadav, chief medical officer, Gurgaon.
Meanwhile, Vij added that there is a need to speed up the vaccination drive. Additional chief secretary (health) Rajiv Arora directed the district deputy commissioners to review the situation weekly and ensure compliance with the guidelines. Apart from this, vaccinations in rural areas should be expedited with a focus on the second dose.