The ability of our health care system to absorb a shock — what experts call surge capacity — is much weaker than many believe. It needs no emphasizing that we don't have enough ventilators and ICU beds if there is a significant surge in the number of patients infected with the deadly coronavirus. As with Italy, our entire health system could be overwhelmed.
Reportedly, in the capital, only a mere 29 ICU beds are available for coronavirus patients at five different hospitals. Moreover, there are no intensive care facilities dedicated for coronavirus patients at hospitals outside the capital. Now the question is it possible for us to fight the deadly coronavirus with such a meager amount of ICU beds in our arsenal?
Covid-19 patients should be treated in a
designated hospital, and ventilation and
other facilities at the ICU should be there
There has been concern over treatment facilities for elderly Covid-19 patients in the country as all the five persons who died from the virus were aged between 60 and 75.
Experts are of the opinion that inadequate intensive care facilities across the country remain a major concern in treating elderly Covid-19 patients who are deemed most vulnerable to the deadly virus.
Elderly people with pre-existing health conditions such as diabetics and hypertension are very vulnerable to coronavirus infection. If they get infected, a large portion of them will need intensive care and ventilation.
But there is a huge gap between demand and supply in terms of intensive care facilities. ICU management in the country is very poor. ICUs in private hospital are not up to the mark for a lack of necessary equipment and skilled manpower.
Considering the situation, the government should take immediate measures to increase intensive care facilities across the country, and set up specialized hospitals with adequate beds to treat coronavirus patients. Covid-19 patients should be treated in a designated hospital, and ventilation and other facilities at the ICU should be there.
