Is Gurgaon Covid-ready? 3 hosps told to set up makeshift wards after checks

GURGAON: After inspecting the facilities at three hospitals in the city, officials on Monday directed that a makeshift Covid ward be set up and testing of samples to screen for prevalence of the viral illness be scaled up.
The health department has also sought information from private hospitals about the availability of beds, medical oxygen and equipment, and life-saving drugs. These directions were made on the first day of nationwide drills ordered by the central government amidst a gradual rise in Covid-19 cases across the country.
On Monday, Gurgaon deputy commissioner Nishant Yadav and chief medical officer Dr Virender Yadav visited the ESI Hospital, Civil Hospital and SGT Medical College as part of the drill.
Officials said they took stock of Covid preparedness in case of a surge in infections. At Civil Hospital, three plants with the capacity to produce a total of 1,500 litres of medical oxygen per minute are functional. The facility has 174 beds, of which 20 will be reserved for isolating Covid patients. A dedicated portion of the facility will be kept for patients with flu-like symptoms too.
Additionally, the deputy commissioner has asked the government-run hospital in Sector 10 to set up a portable Covid ward - a makeshift 30-bed facility if the number of hospitalisations goes up.
At the 150-bed ESI Hospital, almost half of the beds (72) will be prepared for Covid patients if the need arises. Similarly, SGT Medical College has liquid oxygen cryogenic tanks. An isolation ward of 35 beds has been made functional and six ICU beds will be reserved for Covid patients.
"Proper arrangements have been made for Covid patients at the Civil Hospital. Around 200-250 patients are being attended to at the flu corner in the OPD and we have started carrying out testing. The capacity of the hospital will further increase with the formation of a portable Covid ward. At SGT Medical College, the bed capacity can be increased if required. A dedicated flu corner will be established at ESI Hospital soon," the CMO said.
He added that private hospitals in Gurgaon have been asked to submit details of their facilities in treating Covid-19 patients. "We will also carry out random checks on Tuesday to verify the details," Dr Virender Yadav said.
DC Nishant Yadav on Monday also urged people to take precautionary measures.
"All residents should wear masks in places with more than 100 people, especially at markets, malls or other crowded areas to prevent the spread of infection," the deputy commissioner said.