Bolangir: At a time when many Covid-19 patients are struggling to a get ventilator support, dozens of such non-functioning life supporting machines at Santha Bhima Bhoi Medical College and Hospital in the district are gathering dust.
According to sources, the matter came to light after Bolangir MP’s representative Dinesh Sharma visited the General ICU ward of the hospital to meet a critical patient. He found as many as 10 ventilators being left unused and covered with clothes.
Moreover, of the total 16 beds in the ward, not a single bed had a ventilator support, sources added.
As soon as the video of the incident went viral, these non-functional life supporting machines were placed beside beds, relatives of some patients alleged.
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“Many patients are dying due to unavailability of ventilators. Earlier, there were no ventilators in the ward. Hospital staff came this morning and placed these machines beside the beds,” alleged Dayanidhi Sahoo, a patient’s relative.
“Last evening, I went to meet a patient to enquire his health condition. To my surprise, I found him without ventilator support. When I asked a nurse why ventilator support is not provided, she said there are no staff to run the machines,” said Dinesh Sharma.
Responding to the allegations, Bolangir CDMO Bhim Sahoo said, “I am not aware of the incident. So, it will not be wise to comment on the matter.”