Number of Covid beds in private hospitals doubled in 15 days, says BMC

MUMBAI: The number of beds available for Covid-19 patients in the private sector increased by almost 50% to 6,139 in the last fortnight, according to BMC data. The overall bed strength has also increased by 35% to 20,022 in the same period. BMC chief I S Chahal had on March 26 said that the bed capacity would be increased to 21,000.

However, the second wave has so severely impacted the city’s healthcare system that new beds get filled up within hours, said Dr Gautam Bhansali, a senior doctor from Bombay Hospital who coordinates between private hospitals and BMC. Worse, only 41 of the 2,623 ICU beds in both public and private sectors are available at the moment.

However, BMC additional municipal commissioner Suresh Kakani said all-out efforts are being made to increase beds, especially in the private sector. “Most patients hail from relatively affluent classes who prefer private beds to public ones,” he said. The BMC is likely to soon take a decision on converting entire hospitals into Covid-only centres.

Many of the private beds have been added by inducting nursing homes. The city’s 33 major private hospitals have increased their beds from 2,560 in the first wave to 3,100 in the second wave so far.

Bombay Hospital has increased its Covid bed strength from 78 to 122 in the last few days, said Dr Bhansali. Hinduja Hospital’s Joy Chakraborthy said 15 beds are being added to the existing 84-bed Covid wards in his hospital. At Powai’s LH Hiranandani Hospital, Covid beds have increased from 95 to 125. CEO Dr Sujit Chatterjee said, “Earlier only the 4th floor was dedicated to Covid, but now we have added the 5th as well.”

The BMC too has been adding ICU beds at its various hospitals. “The NESCO facility in Goregaon will soon have 200 ICU beds, while 34 ICU beds will be added to SevenHills Hospital in Andheri within a week,” said Kakani. BMC’s Cooper Hospital in Juhu will make all its 40 ICU beds available for Covid.

If the surge continues, Dr Bhansali said the BMC may have to think out of the box. “Since the demand is mainly for private hospitals, the BMC may consider converting entire hospitals into Covid facilities across south Mumbai and suburbs. However, we are studying how many non-Covid patients are in hospitals and what their occupancy is like,” he said.