Deoghar DC orders to run ventilators lying unused within 24 hrs

DC BHAJANTRI HAS DIRECTED AUTHORITIES TO TAKE HELP FROM DEOGHAR AIIMS TECHNICIANS AND PRIVATE NURSING HOMES

Following the reports of ventilators lying unused for several months at Covid hospitals in Deoghar, deputy commissioner on Wednesday ordered making all ventilators operational within 24 hours.

Facing criticism, DC Manjunath Bhajantri has directed the hospital authorities to take help from Deoghar AIIMS technicians and private nursing homes so that Covid patients do not have to suffer.

Deoghar health department had set up total 18 ventilators, of which six were placed at dedicated Maa Lalitha Covid Hospital, four at sadar hospital, two at Madhupur sub divisional hospital (2) and one each at six community health centres. However, of the 18, only two ventilators at Maa Lalitha Private hospital are functional. Remaining 16 are lying unused due to lack of technicians.

Serious Covid patients either have to go to private nursing homes or get referred to other districts and neighbouring Mission Hospital in Durgapur, West Bengal.

Civil surgeon (CS) Dr Yugal Kishore Choudhary admitted that due to lack of operators, ventilators are lying unused. “We have demanded for technicians from state health department and crisis would be resolved soon. For time being, two ventilators are functional at Maa Lalitha Covid Hospital,” said CS.

Last year, Dumka Medical College Hospital faced similar crisis .

As per official record, in last ten days Deoghar has recorded four times more Covid deaths.

Altogether 37 Covid deaths were registered between April 25 to May 5, while from April 15 to April 24 district recorded only eight deaths.

From May 1 till May 5, Deoghar has recorded 855 new Covid cases and 17 deaths.

“Besides ventilator operators, ensure proper appointment of lab technicians, health staff at all dedicated Covid hospitals,” directed DC to health department officials.