Diabetes number one co-morbidity factor in state: Survey

Karam Prakash

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Tribune News Service

Patiala, December 2

Diabetes has emerged as the single biggest contributing co-morbidity factor in Covid-19 deaths in Punjab.

About 88 per cent of the deceased had diabetes, said the state Health Department.

Dr Rajesh Bhaskar, State Nodal Officer, said diabetes was one of the most prevalent co-morbidity factor in the Covid deaths in the state. He said that as per a death-audit by a team of PGI doctors, diabetes was followed by hypertension and kidney ailments.

He added, “Though the audit team is yet to submit the final report, the findings have already been discussed in meetings. The team had conducted audit of around 3000 Covid deaths.”

Bhasker said a large number of Covid deaths had multiple co-morbidity conditions, which reportedly, became cause of their deaths. Health experts said patients with co-morbidity were immunocompromised, therefore, they were at a higher risk.

The committee has also observed that patients, in majority of the cases, had reported late to the government facilities, consequently, their health had already deteriorated to a severe condition before they reached the hospitals.

Regarding second Covid wave, Dr Manjit Singh, Director, Punjab Health Department, said, “We are fully prepared for the second wave as we have already recruited 107 specialists and 367 medical officers. Besides, testing will be increased above 30,000 per day.”