As Covid-19 cases rise, Delhi govt races to arrange 15,000 beds by end-June

A senior doctor in a private hospital said that the government had hired a lot of junior doctors which had added numbers, but had not solved the problem

From banquet halls and stadia to hotels and school buildings, the Delhi government is pulling no punches in race to arrange 15,000 beds by end-June and 80,000 by July 31 for Covid patients. 

The Delhi government has also directed private hospitals to reserve 40 per cent beds for Covid patients. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said if the current trend of 50 per cent occupancy of Delhi hospitals by outsiders continued, the actual number of beds required by July 31 would be 150,000 or nearly twice the earlier projection.

“If the public and private sectors can work in coordination, this challenge can be easily met,” said Alok Roy, chair-Ficci Health Services Committee. 

Private hospitals have 1,441 beds for Covid patients; beds will be increased to 3,456. Of these, the maximum will be in Batra Hospital & Medical Research Centre in Tughlakabad (400), followed by Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals in Sarita Vihar, with 300 beds for Covid patients. 

The bigger challenge, however, is not ramping up the number of hospital beds but increasing manpower — trained doctors and nurses. 

“For 80,000 beds, around 6,000 nurses will be required. Assuming in a normal ward with non-critical patients, one nurse can cater to 15 patients. There are three shifts — one nurse needs to be rested periodically,” said the owner of a mid-sized hospital in Delhi.

Shaleen Mitra, officer on special duty to Delhi’s Health Minister Satyendar Jain, said that every district magistrate (DM) has been asked to submit a list of banquet halls and stadia in their area. 

To a question on manpower shortage, Mitra said, “Personnel management comes under the purview of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority, which is chaired by the Lieutenant Governor.” 

One of the DMs suggested deploying final-year medical students or dentists to do the job. “Each makeshift Covid-care centre would need five staff members, including a doctor, medical, and paramedical staff. Our best bet is to bring down the requirement of beds,” said the state government official. 

A senior doctor in a private hospital said the government has hired junior doctors. This move has added to the numbers, but has not solved the problem. “Many junior doctors and nurses either do not know or are not confident enough to intubate patients or put patients on ventilators,” he said. 

Industry insiders in Delhi pointed out that the government will provide beds and oximeters, while the Delhi Medical Association has been asked to provide staff, laundry services, and oxygen cylinders.

The facility owner — a banquet hall owner, for instance — will provide housekeeping staff and receive rent. 

“India can expect to see a mismatch in terms of beds and clinicians, just like Italy and Spain did. We need to stay ahead,” H S Chhabra, medical director of Indian Spinal Injuries Centre, said. The hospital has converted 37 of its 185-bed capacity for Covid patients. 

Some hospitals such as Max Healthcare Institute have started a home-care service in Delhi for coronavirus-positive patients with mild symptoms, which include tele-review with a doctor every third day, case assessment by nurse case-supervisor, guidelines on self-monitoring, isolation, personal and home hygiene, as well as home delivery of medicines.  

Another issue which has been raised by the health industry in Delhi is the policy flip-flop. “In a war, the soldiers need one General. Too many Generals spoil the broth. This is what is happening in Delhi now,” said a doctor and owner of a speciality clinic. 

Congress leader Ajay Maken said while it was good to see “the chief minister awake”, he should have been more alert three months ago. “Forget about expanding capacity. Is the Delhi government even using the existing ones at its disposal properly? If so, why despite availability of beds, patients are not being admitted?” he asked.