Delhi govt orders private hospitals to increase beds for Covid-19 patients | Latest News Delhi - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Delhi govt orders private hospitals to increase beds for Covid-19 patients

By, Hindustan Times, New Delhi
Apr 09, 2021 02:09 AM IST

According to an signed by Dr RN Das, medical superintendent of Delhi’s nursing home cell, 115 hospitals with over 50 beds across the city have been asked to reserve 50% of their total ICU and ward beds for Covid-19, or 1.25 times the occupancy on Thursday, whichever is higher.

With the city reporting over 7,000 fresh Covid-19 cases on Thursday, the Delhi government directed private hospitals to increase beds earmarked for the treatment of coronavirus patients, for the third time in a week. Two state government hospitals, Lok Nayak and Guru Teg Bahadur, were also asked to scale up Covid-19 infrastructure.

The Delhi government hospitals have also been directed to utilise dental and AYUSH practitioners for Covid duty.(Rahul Raut/HT file photo. Representative image)
The Delhi government hospitals have also been directed to utilise dental and AYUSH practitioners for Covid duty.(Rahul Raut/HT file photo. Representative image)

According to an signed by Dr RN Das, medical superintendent of Delhi’s nursing home cell, 115 hospitals with over 50 beds across the city have been asked to reserve 50% of their total ICU and ward beds for Covid-19, or 1.25 times the occupancy on Thursday, whichever is higher.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

This will add 491 ICU beds and 2,430 ward beds in the private hospitals over Monday’s escalated total, according to the order. The government had ordered 33 private hospitals to reserve 25% of their ward and ICU capacity last Saturday, then again ordered 54 private hospitals – which includes the 33 from the previous list – to reserve 30% of their ward and ICU capacity on Monday. The hospitals are still in the process of increasing the number of beds.

“The occupancy of the Covid ICU beds has surged and reached more than 85% in 20 of the 54 private hospitals. Similarly, the occupancy of Covid ward beds has also increased and reached more than 75% in 22 of the 54 private hospitals,” read the order. The private hospitals have been allowed to increase their total beds strength by 25% and use the increased capacity only for Covid-19 treatment.

The government also ordered Lok Nayak hospital to increase the total Covid-19 beds from 1,000 as per Monday’s order to 1,500, of which 300 will be ICU beds. And, Guru Teg Nahadur hospital has been asked to increase the number of beds from 500 to 1,000, of which 200 will be in the ICU.

Lok Nayak hospital has curtailed outpatient clinics and halved routine surgeries to ensure staff availability for Covid-19 beds. On Thursday, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences also suspended all routine surgeries Saturday onwards.

In two other separate orders, the Delhi government asked all its hospitals to re-create holding or triage areas where patients can receive oxygen therapy while completing admission process. “It may be ensured that no patient is kept waiting for more than 10 minutes,” the order read.

The Delhi government hospitals have also been directed to utilise dental and AYUSH practitioners for Covid duty.

Dr Suranjit Chatterjee, senior consultant of internal medicine at Indraprastha Apollo hospital, said: “The number of Covid-19 cases has increased sharply and there is a need to increase the number of beds. However, the problem this time around is that the non-Covid services have resumed; they are at 70% to 80% of the pre-Covid capacity,” said.

Unveiling 'Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    author-default-90x90

    Anonna Dutt is a health reporter at Hindustan Times. She reports on Delhi government’s health policies, hospitals in Delhi, and health-related feature stories.

SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On