Two Covid hospitals set up in Barmer in under 48 hrs
BARMER: At a time the country is facing shortage of beds, oxygen and other medical equipment due to increasing number of Covid-19 patients, two dedicated hospital to treat the disease have been set up in Barmer district within a record time.
On the initiative of revenue minister Harish Choudhary, the first hospital was set up at Baitu in 48 hours, while another near Balotra block in Barmer in 24 hours. Both the hospitals have started treating Covid-19 patients.
The work for Baitu hospital started after Choudhary released ₹25 lakh from his MLA fund and ₹5 lakh from his personal account. He also made an appeal to the local philanthropists to come forward. Soon, enough fund was generated to develop a facility with all medical equipment necessary for treatment of Covid-19 patients.
Villagers also joined hand to take part in the cleaning of the hospitals and provide hygienic food to the patients. Presently, five doctors, seven nursing staff, 13 volunteers, two guards and two sweepers are serving at the hospitals.
Choudhary said that during the second wave of Covid-19, a large number of patients were coming from rural pockets. As health facilities was not meeting the need of Covid patients, they were reaching to district headquarter’s government hospital in Barmer.
“It increased the load at government hospital in Barmer and due to overburden, it started gasping. Considering the situation, I planned to reduce the load of Barmer government hospital,” he added.
“With help from local people and administration, I could able to do it within 48 hours. Presently, a 100-bed Covid care centre has been established at Baitu with all the basic medical facilities required for Covid patients. Now, patients are getting treatment here, he said.”
After setting up the hospital in Baitu, revenue minister took call for setting up another hospital near Balotra block, but land was a big hurdle in the plan.
However, with the help of local administration, revenue minister identified a location in Sambhra village. Choudhary called a philanthropist Lalit Kiri, who is engaged with oil companies, and asked him to contribute for the hospital.
As Choudhary was committed to set up the hospital within 24 hours, he stayed at the location for the whole time and successfully set up a 25-bed hospital with oxygen and other required medical facilities.