Few ventilators from ‘PM Cares Fund’ at GMCH, Mayo not working properly

Lokmat News Network

Nagpur, May 11

Although the number of corona patients are declining, the ICU and ventilator beds in government hospitals are full. At a time when patients are dying due to lack of ventilators, the ventilators which GMCH received from PM Cares Fund, are malfunctioning and shuts-off suddenly hampering the oxygen supply. Mayo also received 130 ventilators the same fund, out of which 13 did not operate. At present, a total of 28 ventilators are not in use.

Nagpur saw a spike in corona cases in April, but the cases started declining gradually from May 2. The district administration have already started preparation anticipating a third wave.

The city has 2,267 public and private ICU beds and 580 ventilator beds. On Monday, 1,538 oxygen beds and only 4 ventilator beds were empty. There were only four ICU beds and no ventilator beds in the government hospital on Tuesday. It narrates a sorrow pictures of the medical infrastructure in the city and the condition of corona patients in city.

Considering the number grave situation of corona in the city, 50 ventilators were received from PM Cares Fund this year. This brought great relief to GMCH, however, during trial of this ventilator it was discovered that it suddenly shuts off or the oxygen supply, which is ‘set’ according to the patient’s needs, suddenly decreases. It is learned that senior doctors have advised not to use this ventilator in ICU.

GMCH 150 ventilators proposal in limbo

Considering the growing number of corona patients, the GMCH administration had sent a proposal of 150 ventilators to the Medical Education Board; but in the meantime, GMCH received 20 ventilators from the PM Care Fund last year and 50 in the current year, hence the proposal of GMCH went on back burner. Some doctors opine that as the ventilators are cheap, they might have issues.

Mayo received 13

non-functional ventilators

Mayo received 90 ventilators from the PM Cares Fund last year. As per the instructions of the seniors, seven of them were allotted to Shalinitai Meghe, Orange City Hospital and Lata Mangeshkar Hospital. Out of the remaining 83, 4 ventilators were defunct. At present, 71 of these ventilators are used for patients and rest are defunct. Out of 40 ventilators received this year, 9 were non-functional. Of the remaining 31 ventilators, 28 are in service and 3 needs repair. It is learned that out of 9 faulty ventilators, 5 ventilators were replaced by the concerned company.

Current status of ventilators

GMCH 50 received - Under trial

Mayo 130 received - 28 defunct