Glitches hold up operation of 14 ventilators at Civil Hospital

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, April 19

Although the Civil Hospital has got its own ventilators, there are many deficiencies, which are preventing them from being made functional.

According to sources, the Senior Medical Officer (SMO) has written to the higher authorities to solve deficiencies so that ventilators can be made operational soon.

The Civil Hospital having its own ventilators came as a relief for patients, but on the other hand, it seems that they would have to wait for long before these are functional.

The Civil Hospital has 14 ventilators, which include nine for newborns and the remaining five for the operation theatre. The cost of these ventilators is around Rs 2 crore.

Presently, serious patients admitted to the Civil Hospital, who require ventilator care, are referred to other hospitals.

Before ventilators become functional at the hospital, few deficiencies, including the need for centralised suction, oxygen connector and most importantly no ICU trained staff, have to be removed.

The Civil Hospital SMO, Dr Geeta, has written to the Civil Surgeon regarding these requirements, who will be forwarding it the headquarters.

At present, patients who need ventilator are referred to either the PGI, Chandigarh or Rajindra Hospital, Patiala.

Despite repeated attempts, Dr Geeta could not be contacted for comments on the issue.