Private hospitals run short of beds in Patiala

Karam Prakash

Tribune News Service

Patiala, August 29

Covid-19 dedicated private hospitals in the district are facing an acute shortage of beds following a sharp surge in the number of cases. The situation has reached crisis stage as 80-90 of percent beds in these hospitals have already been occupied.

The Health Department said more than 90 per cent of Covid beds were running full at a majority of the private hospitals. However, at Government Rajindra Hospital, less than 50 per cent of beds are occupied. As many as 246 patients are undergoing treatment against the capacity of 600 at the hospital, sources said.

As the Health Department, as on Friday, nine of the 12 Covid beds at Amar Hospital, 17 of 18 beds at Columbia Asia and 29 of 30 beds at Vardhman Hospital have already been occupied. Sadhbhavna, also a private hospital, had only one bed left for Covid patients.

Dr MS Dhaliwal, nodal officer, district health department, said that there was a rush towards private hospitals, however, efforts were being made to increase the bed strength therein.

He said, “Nearly 80-90 per cent beds have already been occupied in private hospitals. New private facilities are being included in the list of dedicated hospitals. This will increase the bed strength in private hospitals.”

It has been witnessed that people have been giving preference to private hospitals over Government Rajindra Hospital, the only major government facility in the district.

The Civil Surgeon, Dr Harish Malhotra, said patients were generally recommended to get treatment at Government Rajindra Hospital, but they could also opt for private facilities. He said the Health Department and the district administration were trying their best to include more private health facilities in the list of dedicated Covid hospitals.

Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.