Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, Jul 22: The private medical colleges in the district have agreed to, in tune with the government order, set aside 4,000 beds in Dakshina Kannada district for the treatment of people infected with the coronavirus. A total of 4,720 beds, therefore, are now available in the district for their treatment.
The district has eight private medical colleges. The district administration had asked them to reserve 50 per cent of their total beds for the treatment of corona infected people. The college managements have agreed to this instruction and provided details of beds they have set aside to the district administration.
Now, KMC Hospital, Father Muller Medical College Hospital, Yenepoya Medical College Deralakatte, K S Hegde Medical College, Kanachur Medical College, Mukka Srinivas Medical College and KVG Medical College Sullia are prepared to serve coronavirus infected people.
As many as 270 beds are available for the COVID patients at the Wenlock Hospital. In addition, 450 beds are available in taluk hospitals, community health centres, and primary health centres. Private medical colleges and hospitals have offered 4,000 beds. Therefore, a total of 4,720 beds are now available for these patients now, said in-charge district health officer, Dr Ratnakar.
Initially, private hospitals and medical colleges have set aside 100 beds for COVID treatment. Currently, 800 beds are readily available in these hospitals for use by the district administration. As many as 3,200 more beds will also be handed over to the district administration in stages. The district also plans to utilise beds available in Ayurveda and Homeopathy medical colleges in the district for the purpose. Dr Ratnakar said that if needed, not only the private medical colleges but also 50 per cent beds of private hospitals would be obtained. Some of these hospitals have already been treating coronavirus patients.
He further stated that there is a proposal for the expansion of COVID special hospital in Wenlock Hospital and it may be completed soon. Therefore, there is no possibility of a shortage of beds for the treatment of infected people in the district, he stated.
Dr Ratnakar also revealed that the private medical colleges have set aside 130 beds in intensive care units to the district administration. The Wenlock Hospital has an ICU facility with 34 beds. Out of these 164 beds, there are 60 ventilators. Shortly, the district will get more than 50 ventilators. Once received, they will be installed immediately, he added.