KGMU proposes real-time tracking of ventilator beds in Govt Hospitals

This proposal has been introduced with the aim of addressing existing shortcomings in the referral process. Currently, patients referred from district hospitals, CHCs, and PHCs are often forwarded without prior confirmation of ventilator availability. Consequently, in critical situations, the accompanying family members are forced to shuttle from one hospital to another.  

Under the proposed system, district hospitals would be linked to major facilities, enabling doctors to confirm the availability of ventilators before referring patients.

The need for such an arrangement is clearly evident from the current utilisation of resources. Officials from various hospitals stated that, due to a shortage of trained staff and specialists, approximately 60–65 ventilators in the city's government hospitals are lying idle.

At Lokbandhu Hospital, only 10 out of 40 ventilators are functional, as the renovation work on the ICU following a fire last year remains incomplete; meanwhile, at Balrampur Hospital, 28 out of 60 ventilator beds are in working condition. 

There are also reports of limited usage at Thakurganj Hospital and Rani Lakshmibai Hospital.

Furthermore, tertiary centres such as the Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, King George Medical University, and the Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences collectively possess approximately 500 ventilators.

However, they face an overwhelming influx of patients arriving from across Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, which frequently places immense pressure on their capacity.

Meanwhile, explaining the urgency, speaking to TOI, chief medical superintendent of the trauma centre at KGMU, Prof Premraj Singh, said, "Many critically ill patients reach us when no ventilator is available. In emergencies, every minute matters. We sent the proposal and will soon call a meeting of govt hospitals in the city to finalise the model”.