MARGAO
Availability of 118 beds in the two major Covid hospitals, 62 at the South Goa district hospital and 56 at ESI hospital may bring about a sense of relief for the health administrators and citizens alike.
The mortality rate, however, sounds a matter of concern, with 14 out of the total 44 deaths reported from these two Covid hospitals -- 12 deaths at the South district hospital and two at the ESI hospital in the last 24 hours.
A look at the statistics of the patients undergoing treatment at these two Covid hospitals show that while the situation sounds improving outside, hundreds of patients are still in the ICUs/ITUs, on Non- invasive ventilators, oxygen face masks etc inside these hospitals.
Take the case of the South Goa district hospital. Statistics show that around 155 patients are on oxygen face masks. The 18-bedded Intensive Care Treatment (ICU) and Intensive Treatment Unit (ITU) are full with patients due to the severity to the infection.
Statistics further show that around 40 patients are undergoing treatment on Non-Invasive Ventilators, while another 105 patients are on NRM. The remaining around 100 patients are on room air and oxygen concentrators, sources said. Around seven patients are on High flow Nasal oxygen.
At the neighbouring ESI Hospital, which is considered a step down facility, around 121 out of the 179 patients are on oxygen, while another 25 patients are being administered Remdesivir. The number of patients undergoing dialysis in the ESI hospital is put at eight.
Asked to comment on the deaths taking place at the hospital, a senior doctor at South Goa district hospital pointed out that doctors have been trying their best for the recovery of the patients as per the set protocols.
“There are many patients who are critical and are admitted in the ICU and ITU. Our team is working hard for the recovery of the patients. Then there are patients who report to the hospital very late when they are already affected by the severity of the infection”, he said.
The doctor, however, has clarified that not a single death has taken place in the hospital for want of oxygen supply. In fact, he was quick to add that the South Goa district hospital had no major oxygen issues as the hospital and district authorities had put a plan in place to ensure adequate oxygen for the patients.
