Puducherry Govt to take over 4 Private Medical colleges for Covid management

This decision on the part of the territorial administration has been taken taking note of the fact that medical facilities at Indira Gandhi Government Medical College and Research Institute (IGGMC & RI) and Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER) have become saturated regarding their capacity for Covid-19 management.

Shortly, the Health Department would take over the Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences, Aarupadai Veedu Medical College, Sri Lakshminarayana Institute of Medical Sciences and Sri Venkateswara Medical College Hospital and Research Centre following the order issued by the Governor.

Currently, 738 Covid-19 patients are undergoing treatment in these four medical colleges, whereas JIPMER and IGGMC & RI are providing treatment to 889 Covid-19 patients.

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As per the latest media report by The Hindu, the exponential rise in the number of people getting infected by Covid-19 during the last few weeks have pushed the two medical facilities- JIPMER and IGGMC & RI to a saturation point. This has resulted in a situation where both these facilities have run out of their bed capacity, including oxygen support in the past few days.

However, once the four medical colleges come under Government control, they could be utilized in a better way and the bed capacity at those institutes could be increased as well.

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Speaking to The Hindu regarding the issue, a senior official said, "Once, the four medical colleges come under our control, we can increase the number of admissions for COVID-19 patients. Each of these medical colleges have around 700 beds at their disposal. Beds kept idle could also be made functional. The nodal officers appointed by the Health Department will coordinate the admission and discharge process in the medical colleges."

He further informed the daily that the Health Department would also open oxygen bed facilities at the Chest Clinic and add 50 more oxygen beds at IGGMC & RI.