DELHI HOSPITALS’ CAPACITY
To a question on manpower shortage, Mitra said, “Personnel management comes under the purview of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority, which is chaired by the Lieutenant Governor.”
One of the DMS suggested deploying final-year medical students or dentists to do the job. “Each makeshift Covid-care centre would need five staff members, including a doctor, medical, and paramedical staff. Our best bet is to bring down the requirement of beds,” said the state government official.
A senior doctor in a private hospital said the government has hired junior doctors. This move has added to the numbers, but has not solved the problem. “Many junior doctors and nurses either do not know or are not confident enough to intubate patients or put patients on ventilators,” he said.
Industry insiders in Delhi pointed out that the government will provide beds and oximeters, while the Delhi Medical Association has been asked to provide staff, laundry services, and oxygen cylinders.
The facility owner — a banquet hall owner, for instance — will provide housekeeping staff and receive rent.
“India can expect to see a mismatch in terms of beds and clinicians, just like Italy and Spain did. We need to stay ahead,” H S Chhabra, medical director of Indian Spinal Injuries Centre, said. The hospital has converted 37 of its 185-bed capacity for Covid patients.
Some hospitals such as Max Healthcare Institute have started a home-care service in Delhi for coronavirus-positive patients with mild symptoms, which include tele-review with a doctor every third day, case assessment by nurse case-supervisor, guidelines on self-monitoring, isolation, personal and home hygiene, as well as home delivery of medicines.
Another issue which has been raised by the health industry in Delhi is the policy flip -flop. “In a war, the soldiers need one General. Too many Generals spoil the broth. This is what is happening in Delhi now,” said a doctor and owner of a speciality clinic.
Congress leader Ajay Maken said while it was good to see “the chief minister awake”, he should have been more alert three months ago. “Forget about expanding capacity. Is the Delhi government even using the existing ones at its disposal properly? If so, why despite availability of beds, patients are not being admitted?” he asked.
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After battling Covid-19 for eight days, DMK legislator and the main opposition party's noted articulate member in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, J Anbazhagan died at a private hospital here on Wednesday.
The 62-year old MLA, born on June 10, 1958 incidentally died on his 62nd birthday Wednesday and he is the first legislator victim of Covid-19 in the state and perhaps the first elected representative to die of the virus induced illness in the country. Anbazhagan battled severe Covid-19 triggered pneumonia and his health condition rapidly deteriorated early morning today, Dr Rela Institute and Medical Centre, where he was treated said.