Private Hospitals to reserve 50% beds for COVID patients: Health Minister Dr.K.Sudhakar

• Health Minister holds discussion with private hospitals and nursing homes
• Govt to discuss with drug controller and supply Remdesivir to private hospitals at government rates
• Measures taken to ensure sufficient quantity of ventilators and oxygen are available. If required industrial oxygen to be utilized
• There is no consideration of lockdown as of now

Bengaluru , April 12, 2021: State Health & Medical Education Minister Dr.K.Sudhakar has said that the Private hospitals have been asked to reserve 50% beds for COVID patients as it was done during the first wave. He was speaking to the media here after video conference with the Private Hospitals and Nursing Home Association (PHANA) today.

Minister said that private hospitals have been advised to vacate beds occupied by non-COVID patients who don’t require hospitalisation and reserve the same for COVID patients. Private hospitals have agreed to reserve 50% beds for COVID patients within a week. Patients without symptoms and with mild symptoms will be isolated in hotels and COVID care centres. Only patients with severe conditions will be treated in hospitals said the Minister.

“Drugs companies have stopped production of Remdesivir. We need this drug. Private hospitals have complained that the medicine is not available in the market. We will discuss the issue with drug controller and supply the medicine to private hospitals at government rates,” he said.

The state has taken measures to ensure sufficient quantity of ventilators and oxygen.

“If required industrial oxygen will be utilized,” he added.

Technical advisory committee has evaluated the situation for next two months and advised on the necessary steps to be taken.

“Experience acquired in last one year will help us to fight Second wave. Government is very well aware that people are suffering due to economic slowdown. There is no consideration of lockdown as of now,” Sudhakar clarified.

“Staff who have committed blunders in COVID testing have been suspended. Good work done by the government should not be overlooked due to this one reason. We have done 2.2 crore COVID tests out of which 85% are RT-PCR. People should cooperate in controlling the pandemic. We have not said that lock down will be imposed. But we are appealing to the public not to make lock down inevitable,” the minister added.