Four patients. One bed. That’s how Delhi’s hospitals are dealing with the sudden surge in patients with fever, many of them dengue cases.
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi claims the number of dengue cases this year is down to 464 from 1,076 in 2008. But private hospitals are reporting
100 per cent occupancy.
“Aditya (23) was admitted to the ICU in Max Devki Devi on November 1. When we wanted to shift him to a private room on Tuesday, we were told there was none. We finally got a shared room on Thursday,” his mother Poonam Sahai (46) said.
Max admitted there was a shortage but said it wasn’t due to dengue cases alone. Other hospitals agreed. Indraprastha Apollo, Sir Ganga Ram and Fortis Rajan Dhall had 100 per cent occupancy on Thursday.
“We get cases from all over the north. Beds are allotted depending on the patient’s condition,” said Dr D.P. Saraswath, regional director south, Max.
“Unless platelet count is below 20,000 or accompanied by high fever, rash, swollen stomach and bleeding gums, patients should be monitored at home,” said Dr Anupam Sibal, director, hospital services, Apollo.