31-year-old Covid-positive man dies due to shortage of ventilator

Bengaluru: A 31-year- old, Covid-positive man died on Saturday in Bengaluru after he was taken to three hospitals in search of ventilators. The death is an indication of the shortage of beds for seriously ill patients.

The patient was a resident of Padmanabhanagar. He was in home isolation after he was tested Covid-positive on April 9. He developed acute hypoxia (oxygen deprivation) on Friday evening and was rushed to Bhagwan Mahaveer Jain Hospital in Vasanthnagar at around 8:30 pm in a private ambulance. Mercy Mission, an NGO working on the Covid front, aided the family in booking an ICU bed through the 108 Arogya Kavacha ambulance service.

There was no ICU bed available by the time he reached the hospital. The family then sought a bed in the Girinagar branch of the hospital. The booking was again done through 108.

When he reached there, his oxygen saturation level was 40% against the normal 95%. He was treated on a high dependency unit and put on oxygen support.

Dr Reshma S, unit head of Bhagwan Mahaveer Jain Hospital, Girinagar branch said, “While his oxygen saturation level initially improved, it fell to single digits despite giving 12 litres of oxygen. He was required to be on a ventilator, but we didn’t have a ventilator bed vacant. His condition was worsening.” He was moved to a private hospital near Koramangala around 1 am but died around 4 am.

Dr MD Marker, medical director, Bhagwan Mahaveer Jain Hospital told that by the time the patient arrived, the ventilator beds were full. He said, “On Friday evening, we had two sick patients brought in requiring ICU treatment. This patient came around 9 pm. We could not have removed the life support of one patient to accommodate the patient referred by BBMP.”  Dr BK Vijendra, BBMP Chief Health Officer said, “We have sought details and inquiring into the case.” Authorities at 108 ambulance service affirmed that they had blocked beds for the patient and he was not ferried in a ventilator-fitted ambulance.

BBMP issued a show-cause notice to Bhagwan Mahaveer Jain Hospital asking them why they did not provide a bed to the patient even after booking it through the centralised hospital bed management system.