Karnataka COVID-19 hospitals reality check: Govt claims Vs reality

As Karnataka witnessing a sudden spike in the coronavirus cases, there has been a major gap between the government claims and the patients facing thousand of difficulties during the treatment of coronavirus in the state as well as private hospitals. Therefore, ETV Bharat has decided to check the ground reality of the government claims.

Bengaluru: Karnataka which initially able to contain the spread of the COVID-19 is now losing its battle with the deadly virus. One of the major complaints against the state government is there are not enough beds in the hospital and private hospitals are exploiting the patients. Here is an ETV Bharat reality check on how the COVID-19 patients are being treated, how many private hospitals are offering treatment? beds availability, charges levied by the hospitals, whether hospitals have enough doctors and paramedical staff?

Bengaluru

In the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) limits, COVID treatment is offered in 72 hospitals where 3,331 beds are available for the COVID treatment. These beds are exclusively reserved for the treatment of COVID-19 patients. Among them, 733 beds are occupied. A total of 2,598 beds are still empty. According to authorities, 78% of beds are empty. Medical Education Minister Dr K Sudhakar claims that there is no bed shortage in the city.

Hospitals overcharging the patients

The Apollo hospital in Sheshadripuram is served with a notice by the National Health Mission director after an allegation that the hospital is collecting Rs 6,000 for COVID-19 test over and above Rs 4,500 fixed by the state government. The notice has been issued with a copy of the bill. The hospital has been given two days time to reply over the allegation. The government warned action against the hospital if they found the reply -'unsatisfactory'.

However, talking over the allegations of overcharging by the private hospitals, Sudhakar made it clear that the hospitals can't charge over the price fixed by the state government. "These hospitals come under the purview of the health department. I will talk to them and try to resolve the issues," he said.

Lack of beds and doctors

One of the frequent complaints by COVID patients in the city is they are not getting treatment in any of the hospitals. The hospitals are denying treatment citing bed shortage. But the actual problem is the shortage of doctors. Yes. It is one of the known secrets that the government hospitals in the state are facing acute shortage of doctors. Because of this, the state government extended the service of those who are retiring. New doctors are worrying to join the service. Doctors took the various social media platforms to narrate their worries. As a result, there is a paucity of doctors in hospitals.

Mangaluru

In the Wenlock District Hospital, one thousand beds have been arranged for COVID patients. If the number goes up, another 500 beds are reserved in private hospitals.

Dakshina Kannada district is known for the private hospitals' lobby and power. As the district has several private medical colleges, there are many speciality private hospitals. As per the directions of the state government, now the private hospitals also started providing treatment for the COVID-19.

Seven major hospitals of the district informed the state government that they are ready to serve the patients of coronavirus. These include Father Muller's hospital (100 beds), Yenepoya hospital, Deralakatte (100 beds), KMC hospital, Mangaluru (50 beds), AJ hospital, Mangaluru (50 beds), Shrinivasa hospital, Mukka (50 beds), KS Hegde hospital, Deralakatte (100 beds), Kanachur hospital, Deralakatte (50 beds) agreed to treat the COVID patients. Besides these hospitals, several other hospitals also agreed to treat the COVID infection.

Adding to this several private hospitals in the city are doing the COVID test. They are charging Rs 4,500 for the swab test.

As the private hospitals in the Dakshina Kannada are fledged as they are attached to the medical colleges, there is no major crisis. The hospitals have enough medical facilities like equipment, ICU, medical and paramedical staff etc. Hospitals made it clear that they provide treatment based on the charges fixed by the state government. If the government recommends the patients due to the non-availability of the beds in the government hospitals, the bill is paid by the government. The hospital management informed that they are adding 500 more beds to face the crisis.

Mysuru

Royal city Mysuru is also witnessing a steep surge in the number of coronavirus cases. In Mysuru, over 100 private hospitals are functioning. Over 4,00 beds are available in these hospitals. As per the government directions, 50% of the beds are reserved for the COVID 19 treatment.

However, the big challenge is the dedicated wards for COVID-19 patients. The private hospitals' management says that most of the hospitals in the city lack eligibility to start the treatment as they don't have the facility to set up dedicated isolation wards. So, it is tough to provide Corona treatment in private hospitals.

According to the Mysuru health management, out of 100 hospitals, patients are admitted only at the JSS hospital where 12 patients were treated at the ICU. No other hospital admitted even a single patient.

The private hospitals say for the COVID 19 patients, bed charge is fixed at Rs. 4-5 thousand for general ward, 7-8 thousand for special ward, 8 thousand for ICU ward. It is not enough. The medical and paramedical staff also worry if there are COVID 19 patients in the hospital. So, it results in staff shortage.

The private hospitals want the government to treat the COVID patients in the government facilities while it can send the other patients to them for treatment.

According to a doctor, the response for government direction to reserve 50% of the beds for COVID patients and treatment according to the charges fixed by the government is poor among the private hospitals in the district.

Dharawad

Dharwad is not an exception for the swelling numbers of COVID patients. The number of coronavirus patients is increasing day by day. In the government-run KIMS hospital plasma therapy has been started. The district administration asked the private hospitals to get ready to provide treatment for the COVID patients if required.

In Dharwad, COVID patients number crossed 700 mark, of which, 260 patients have recovered. In Hubballi-Dharwad twin cities, 17 private hospitals are identified to provide treatment for COVID patients.

The private hospitals are following the twin billing system. If a public authority recommends, one billing system is followed while if the patient gets admitted directly another billing system will be followed. According to DC Nitish Patil, 50% of the beds in private hospitals is reserved for COVID patients. "All the system is in place to face the crisis," he explains.

According to the hospital authority, as of now, there is no shortage of beds as in KIMS still many beds are vacant. Adding, more beds may be required in the coming days.

"Private hospitals shall be in a ready mode. There are reports that hospitals are facing minor staff shortage. Still, we will ensure the best of the treatment for all the patients," said Patil. In private hospitals, ICU, ventilator, oxygen are also available.

Meanwhile, the district administration already converted BD Jatti Homeopathy college on Basaveshwara circle, Ulavi into a dedicated hospital to provide treatment for the COVID 19 warriors like ASHA workers, police etc.

In KIMS, out of 250 dedicated beds, 190 are filled up. 60 beds are still available. At SDM college, Dharwad 100 beds are marked for the COVID treatment. As many as 955 beds are identified for COVID patients in dedicated care centres.