THE shortage of Oxygen beds and ventilators’ in the district amid a constant surge in COVID cases and deaths is a matter of serious concern. Owing to the shortage the health department officials are in a dilemma to manage serious patients with rising cases and deaths.

 

According to information, amidst the swelling cases of coronavirus the shortage of oxygen beds and ventilators have affected the treatment of patients. The Health Department and district administration are on their toes to ensure the facility of oxygen beds and ventilators for serious Covid patients. The sources said that presently the oxygen beds are running full at all Covid Centres and a WhatsApp group has been created to ensure apt coordination among in-charge officials from all Covid Centers for updating information regarding the availability of oxygen beds and ventilators. The sources also said that 25 per cent in addition to the present status of oxygen beds and ventilators will help health department officials to meet the shortage effectively. It will also enable them to ensure adequate and timely medical aid in serious cases of coronavirus infection.

 

As per the Health Department officials they are making making provisions for more COVID Hospitals and the eleventh center is likely to come up in Nehru Nagar, Bhilai. It will add to number of oxygen beds and medical observation facility. It is a matter of grave concerns that in 10 Covid Hospital functioning presently there are total 394 beds including 187 Oxygen Beds and when on an average over 950 being tested Covid positive and 5 deaths reported for last three days this is a crisis situation.

 

The source said that recently the condition of a Covid patient from Bhilai was seemingly deteriorating with increasing breathing difficulty and the family members were looking for Covid center with availability of oxygen beds. Somehow the family members managed to trace a Covid Centre with the availability of oxygen beds in other district and immediately shifted the patient. Dr Gambhir Singh Thakur, Chief Medical and Health Officer, Health Department, Durg stated that they have a shortage of oxygen beds and ventilators, considering the rise in Covid cases and deaths. There is apt coordination among all Covid centers and that they are managing to meet requirement of oxygen beds and ventilators as and when it is required. However one more Covid Hospital will be ready in Nehru Nagar, Bhilai and more centers will be set up tide over the situation.