All’s not well in Himachal Pradesh Covid wards

Bhanu P Lohumi
Tribune News Service
Shimla, December 2

Notwithstanding tall claims made by the state government, Covid wards in Himachal Pradesh are facing shortage of anti-viral injections and oxygen supply. The sight of bodies being wrapped up right in front of other patients in the ward leaves many of them anguished.

The experience of Covid patients, who received treatment at Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital and Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) here, is in sharp contrast to the claims made by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, his ministers and bureaucrats. Feedback was obtained from patients who remained admitted to these wards between October 18 and November 29.

Some patients said food was served to them on the stretchers that were otherwise used for carrying patients and dead bodies. The authorities arranged food trolleys only after they objected to that practice.

“The hospital staff wrapped up dead bodies in front of other patients in the ward, instead of taking these to a separate room,” said Kishore Sharma who remained admitted to the IGMC Covid ward. “The hospital ran short of anti-viral injection on the third day.

The central supply of oxygen was available for only half the time,” said Ashish Sood, who remained admitted to the DDU Covid ward from November 18 to 29. Toilets were stinking, said a 71-year-old woman from Shimla who was discharged on November 29.

These patients, however, have a word of praise for the nurses and junior doctors. Senior doctors seemed reluctant to visit Covid wards, they said.

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