Gujarat got 900 ICU beds from Centre

Lok Sabha data says that under Covid-19 Emergency Response & Health System Preparedness Package II, Gujarat got 900 ICU beds 720 adult and 180 paediatric  for state-run hospitals and health facilities.

According to the state health department data, during the second wave, the state had 15,000-odd ICU beds in government and private facilities. Due to the acute need for oxygen during the second wave, ventilator beds, ICU beds, and high-dependency units (HDU) with oxygen supply were in demand.

The third wave preparation included doubling of the ICU numbers. But with a low number of hospitalizations, the plan did not materialize fully, said sources. "High vaccination along with lower involvement of lungs during the third wave prevented a tsunami of cases similar to the second wave," said a public health expert.

"But the need of the hour is to strengthen the healthcare system at the rural level so that the high dependence on tertiary care hospitals can be reduced."

The Lok Sabha response on Friday indicated that Uttar Pradesh got 4,007 ICU beds under the scheme, followed by 3,060 for Maharashtra. Of the 180 paediatric ICU beds in Gujarat, 84 went to district paediatric care units, the data said.