Telangana: Many dying in government hospitals after futile run for private bed

HYDERABAD: At least 15 out of 43 novel coronavirus patients who died at state-run hospitals over the past week had either made several rounds for a bed at private hospitals or spent a few days there, health department officials said on Thursday.


“By the time they are reaching government hospitals, they have already lost the golden hour period for treatment and are in extremely critical condition,” said Dr Raja Rao, superintendent of Gandhi hospital.

Dozens of novel coronavirus patients are landing in state-run hospitals at the last minute, giving doctors little time to save their lives, officials said. “Majority of the critical patients who have reached Gandhi have either exhausted their money or have been denied admission by many private hospitals, as they don’t have enough beds,” added Dr Rao.

Dr G Srinivas Rao, director (public health) Telangana, said patients should utilise the government facilities. “Instead of doing rounds of private hospitals, patients should come to us directly. Timely intervention can go a long way in saving their lives,” he said.

Many confessed of not coming to government facilities initially and coming only at the last minute.

Cost of treatment at pvt hosps unclear

We went to two private hospitals when my mother developed breathing trouble and we were offered a package of Rs 20 lakh and Rs 10 lakh with half the money to be paid upfront even before admission or a Covid-19 test,” said a patient attendant who reached Gandhi Hospital on Wednesday night, after making rounds of two more hospitals.

Dr Bhaskar Rao, president, Telangana Super Speciality Hospitals, acknowledged that there was problem and patients should check availability of beds in state-run Covid-19 centres first.

“There are a lot of beds available in government hospitals. People who cannot pay can go to Osmania General Hospital, Chest hospital or Gandhi hospital,” he said.

There are 3,000 Covid-19 beds in private hospitals in Hyderabad. However, there are no clarity on how many beds are allotted at government-approved rates.

Other hospitals also said scores of patients and their families are landing late in government hospitals for treatment.

“Some patients have even turned up at our hospital after undergoing treatment at private hospitals for two to three days,” said Dr Mahaboob Khan, Chest hospital superintendent.