Bhubaneswar: Amid rising COVID-19 cases, the Odisha government has been claiming about adequate infrastructure to treat the infected.
The hospitals in Bhubaneswar, however, are feeling the burden of the caseloads with people from across the state rushing to get admitted to facilities here with the hope of better treatment.
The government has set up dedicated COVID facilities and also asked the private hospitals to set aside 50 per cent of general beds and 80 per cent that of ICU for treatment of COVID-19 patients. To lessen the burned on hospitals, those with mild symptoms are being encouraged to remain in home isolation.
According to data released on Friday, the total bed strength in Bhubaneswar is 1617. There are 534 ICU and HDU beds and 195 ventilators. Currently, 274 ICUs and 102 ventilators are vacant.
If reports are to be believed, the struggle to get an ICU and ventilators cannot be ignored.
Also Read: Is Odisha Capital Running Out Of COVID Beds? Questions Abound Amid Surge In Cases
According to a September 23 TNIE report, 420 ventilators allocated to Odisha by the Centre are gathering dust. Of the allocated 567 ventilators from PM Cares Fund, the government had installed 147 ventilators till September 14. There is one ventilator, three ICU beds, and 62 general beds for one lakh population in COVID facilities developed in collaboration with private entities, the report added.
Also Read: Hospitals Treating COVID-19 Patients In Odisha Asked To Set Up Help Desks
