Coronavirus: Just 2 ventilators for 30 lakh people in south Kashmir

Anantnag: The Government Medical College (GMC) here is equipped with just two ventilators to combat the covid-19 threat in entire south Kashmir, which is spread over four districts having population of around 30 lakh.

These two ventilators however remain occupied at any point and in “reality” there was no intensive care facility reserved for handling any covid-19 case, said a senior doctor.

He questioned the government preparedness to deal with the situation in south Kashmir. “Declaring a structure as quarantine facility and equipping it with some beds is not enough. The real worry is the situation in the hospitals which lack intensive care facilities,” said the doctor.

“As far as hospitals in south Kashmir are concerned we are in no position to handle situation if it worsens,” said the doctor.

Another doctors said the GMC has specialist, but in absence of life-supporting system they will be rendered handicapped.

He described dearth of intensive care set-up across south Kashmir as “long and chronic problem.”

“It leads to referrals which results in overburdening of Srinagar hospitals,” the doctor said.

He said the Union health ministry recently issued an advisory asking all hospitals to prepare medical infrastructure for any possible influx of covid-19 cases.

“We have no facility at all. Our preparations are superficial and misleading,” the doctor said.

The 250-bedded GMC hospital has set up six beds in Isolation Ward and 10 beds in quarantine for people having covid-19 symptoms.

Principal GMC, Dr Showkat Jeelani said they have placed the order for 10 ventilators three months ago.

“Hopefully we will receive them next month,” he said, adding the hospital has received funds to procure equipment.

“The space crunch is the reason for us not being able to equip the hospital with the required infrastructure,” he said.

The doctor however said in view of the exigency, the life system support should have been in place by now.

“If God forbid there is an outbreak how will we deal with the situation,” he asked. “We will have to fall back on tertiary care hospitals which are always overburdened.”

Another doctors said even if the ventilators were procured there was no manpower and support system to operate them.

GK