PGI Chandigarh Covid facility gets functional today with just 5-day PPE

Chandigarh, April 2

The PGI is all set to start a dedicated Covid facility tomorrow, but without adequate personal protective equipment (PPE).

Sources said the current stock would vanish in just five days. PGI Director Dr Jagat Ram said they had placed orders for quality PPE. However, due to a countrywide shortage, they have not been able to procure it in large quantity. An order for over 15,000 PPEs was placed last week by the PGI with government approved suppliers, but none of them has been able to deliver.

On an average, 70 to 80 PPEs are required by health workers deputed in different departments.

The third floor of the hospital with 60 beds will be used in the initial phase, while on the fourth floor, 15 ventilators will be at the disposal in the intensive care area.

The UT had decided that all positive patients will be shifted to the Nehru Extension Block of the PGI and all three hospitals (the PGI, GMSH-16 and GMCH-32) will continue to screen patients and take samples.

Uttam Thakur, president, Association of Resident Doctors of PGI, said Covid patients were being effectively isolated at the three tertiary care facilities. The isolation facilities at none of these centres stand overwhelmed. The feasibility of converting vacant/almost ready other hospitals in the UT like the one in Sector 48 into Covid Hospital should be considered.”

Concerns raised by PGI staff

• Transfer of all these patients at this stage poses the risk of infection to all those involved in transport and their families.
• Once the number of beds in Nehru Extension Block are occupied by stable, non-oxygen requiring patients on account of mass transfers, there will be a paucity of beds and manpower for the management of the referrals from Punjab, Haryana, HP and other northern states, having acute respiratory distress syndrome and requiring mechanical ventilation. — TNS