Open up defence hospitals for civilians: Youth Congress

Strap: Urges Centre to make them a dedicated Covid facility

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, May 2

Considering the spiraling Covid cases in the district, president of District Youth Congress (urban), Angad Dutta has appealed to the Centre and the district administration to make beds available for civilians too.

Amid the crisis, opening doors of the defence forces hospitals for the civilians would not only help immediate treatment of Covid patients, but would also save them from paying exorbitant bills at private hospitals.

“As per the reports, at present, there are a total of 270 level-II oxygen beds and 16 level-III ICU beds in the Military Hospital and 50 level-II oxygen beds at the BSF Hospital. Owing to the resurgence of daily cases due to the second wave of the virus, hospitals are already overburdened and non-availability of medical colleges in the city has made it an uphill task for the administration. Hence, the defence hospitals will help reduce heavy load of patients and locals can avail the treatment at the prices set by the government,” said Dutta.

He also appealed to all NGOs to join hands in the race against the Covid -19 for the delivery of all essential commodities to the needy.

“During the second wave, there is a possibility of acute shortage of beds and other facilities available in the government hospitals and people will be left with no choice but to admit patients in the private hospitals. Earlier, the private hospitals were seen charging hefty amounts for Covid-19 treatment, making it hard for the working class to make the ends meet,” Dutta further added.