Covid-19: Pvt hospitals in Nagpur prepare for emergencies

Private hospitals in

Maharashtra's Nagpur city have assured the government that they are prepared to take on coronavirus cases as and when the need arises.

Maharashtra has witnessed a steady rise in the number of coronavirus cases, with 52 persons testing positive for the deadly infection.

Indira Gandhi Government Medical College and Hospital (IGGMCH) and Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) are the only hospitals here treating positive cases of infection.

While 20 people have been quarantined at the MLA hostel here.

Doctors from Vidarbha Hospitals Association recently met the divisional commissioner and assured him of their cooperation.

Speaking to PTI about the preparedness to tackle the outbreak, a senior physician at Care Group of Hospitals said the government's directives are being followed and suspected cases are being referred to IGGMCH.

 

Private hospitals have also been sending reports about suspected cases to the Nagpur Municipal Corporation every day, he added.

While some hospitals have assured the government of keeping their facilities open in times of need, there are many norms for isolation procedure and all hospitals don't fit into that criteria, senior physician Dr Kamal Bhutada said.

Director of Orange City Hospital and Research Institute Anup Marar told PTI, "We are trying to limit the entry of healthy individuals to the hospital, by deferring routine visits, health checkups,planned surgeries, etc."

With unavailability of adequate isolation facilities, it will be difficult for majority of private hospitals in Nagpur to admit coronavirus patients, he said.

During the meeting with divisional commissioner, it was suggested that hospitals with less occupancy can be turned into isolation facilities if need arises, Dr Marar said.