Shillong hospitals struggle as Meghalaya sees spike of COVID cases
Hospitals across Shillong city are struggling to manage the COVID situation due to the shortcomings in terms of resources.
According to some doctors, the situation has not reached its peak yet and the state is already struggling.
"All our resources like ventilators are being pushed to the COVID wards and none are left for the general wards," a doctor on condition of anonymity said.
Health professionals observe that with the cases waiting to explode, it will be too much for the hospitals to handle.
Speaking to The Northeast Today (TNT), Director of NEIGRIHMS, Dr P. Bhattacharya said that the hospital has liquefied oxygen cylinders that are refilled and also said that there are oxygen concentrators that act as backup.
Commenting on the current COVID situation, he said that the hospital has trained its doctors and given a crash course in handling patients that need more care, amid the massive number of cases being reported daily.
When asked about ventilators, Bhattacharya informed that the hospital has 50 plus ventilators, and they are looking at both COVID and non-COVID cases.
Another prominent doctor from Shillong, Dr Gordon Rangad from Nazareth Hospital said that the hospital has enough liquid oxygen for now.
"As of today, all ventilators are used although there are both COVID and non-COVID cases admitted, the hospital does not mix the two cases," he said.
With the increasing number of cases being reported daily, he said that the situation is getting difficult but the people must ensure that they follow protocols.
Joint Director (SS) of Civil Hospital, Dr Andreas Dkhar said that the hospital has oxygen generators and about 17 ventilators as of now.
The hospital has requested two more ventilators.
At present, the state has over 3000 oxygen cylinders and another 2000 are being procured to meet the shortage.
As for the number of patients admitted currently, Dr Dkhar said that there are more than 40 COVID patients now in the hospital and more may be admitted in the coming days.
Hospitals across the city are filled with COVID patients with additional floors/wards are being turned into COVID wards.
(Edited by Shankar Turha)
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