Odisha’s Nabarangpur Struggles In Absence Of COVID ICU Beds

Nabarangpur/Koraput: Absence of ICU beds has hit treatment of critical COVID positive patients in tribal-dominated Nabarangpur district.

The district, which had recorded as many as 417 COVID positive cases as on on Sunday, does not have a single ICU bed to treat critical patient at its dedicated 182-bed district COVID health care centre (DCHC) in the district headquarters town.

Until recently, the critical COVID patients requiring ICU were referred to SLN Medical College and Hospital (SLNMCH) at Koraput, a distance of over 60 km.

But, the Nabarangpur administration is not left with that option too as all COVID beds at SLNMCH are full for the last few days.

“Critical patients require treatment in ICU but we are facing problem as we don’t have a single ICU bed. As many 67 critical patients are admitted to DCHC and are being provided treatment with available resources,” said health staff of the district on condition of anonymity.

Nabarangpur Collector Ajit Kumar Mishra admitted that the district does not have any ICU beds to treat coronavirus patients, but in view of the rise in cases at least 12 ICU beds will be made functional at the DCHC in the next few days.

“Work for installation of at least 12 ICU bed at the DCHC is on a warfooting and we are hopeful that in next three to four days the ICU beds will be ready for use,” said Mishra.

The district has been witnessing a surge in the COVID positive, particularly in areas bordering Chhattisgarh. As many as 3,013 persons are in home isolation and unofficial figures put the death toll over 40.

Officials said all efforts are being taken to contain the spread of the viral disease in the district.

“Majority of COVID positive cases are reported from blocks that share borders with Chhattisgarh. All efforts are being done to contain the spread of the coronavirus. The district has five COVID care centres with 100 beds, each equipped with oxygen supply, in five blockd bordering Chhattisgarh. This is to ensure that the patient gets immediate medical assistance,” the Collector added.