Bhopal: As Madhya Pradesh battles the rising number of coronavirus cases, burdening its health infrastructure, government data showed the state has just one ventilator for every 75,000 people and one intensive care unit (ICU) bed for every 47,000.
However, to the satisfaction of authorities, the availability of hydroxychloroquine, a common anti-malaria drug seen as potential cure for COVID-19, is around 30 tablets per person, according to an analysis of Madhya Pradesh (MP) government data. MP has so far registered 426 coronavirus positive cases and 33 fatalities.
Indore leads the tally with 235 COVID-19 cases followed by Bhopal, which has 98 patients of the infection which has now spread to 20 districts of the MP. The state, having a population of over 7.5 crore, has a total of 993 ventilators and 1,598 ICU beds in government and private hospitals put together (as on April 9, 2020) according to the data. Sources said the numbers may have slightly increased in the last 11 months. Overall, 29,914 beds, including 9,492 in isolation wards, are available in state-run hospitals, the data said.
Asked about the low ratio of ventilators and ICU beds vis-à-vis population, Principal Secretary (Medical Education) Sanjay Shukla told this agency that efforts are being made to improve overall medical facilities and procure necessary healthcare equipment in the state.
The Madhya Pradesh government has placed orders to procure 200 ventilators but as everybody knows that manufacturers of life-saving equipment are overburdened these days so it may take time to receive supply, Shukla informed. He however, assured that there is no shortage of funds.
Development of healthcare infrastructure needs time. We also need expertise to operate these ventilators. Funds are available. We are making all-round efforts to improve medical facilities in the state to deal with the COVID-19 menace,” Shukla stated.
Shukla also informed that private hospitals are also arranging additional ventilators to deal with the coronavirus crisis. The state has 29,380 Personal Protection Equipment (PPEs) kits and 1.50 lakh N95 masks, two important protective gears required for healthcare workers who are on the frontline of anti-coronavirus fight, Shukla stated.
The virus sneaked in Madhya Pradesh March 20 when four people, including two women with foreign travel history, tested positive for COVID-19 in Jabalpur city. Of them, three have recovered and returned home.
Some top officials of the health department, including two IAS officers, who attended meetings chaired by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, have also tested positive for COVID-19 in this city.
PTI