12 November,2009 09:57 AM IST | | Alifiya Khan
Overburdened with H1N1 cases, ICU wards don't have beds for sudden increase in dengue cases in city
Dengue has caught the city off guard with around 150 suspected cases reported in the fortnight, out of which 52 have tested positive.
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Swine flu broke out Pune in August and the city has reported 1,600 positive cases since then. The virus now has hospital officials worried due to the shortage of ICU beds. The situation could worsen if the number of dengue cases rise. "Many dengue cases have never been reported in October and November and it is a cause of concern," said Dr Sadashiv Patole, medical officer, PMC.
According to figures obtained from General Practioners Association (GPA), there are about 400 ICU beds in all in the city hospitals. "The average occupancy rate is more than 90 per cent in the ICU. On most occasions, it's very difficult to get a bed. And with the swine flu outbreak, the situation is even worse," said
Dr Avinash Bhondwe, former president of Indian Medical Association (IMA) and GPA.
"We have to reserve bedsu00a0 as swine flu is our top priority.u00a0 As a result patients down with other illnesses have to suffer. We have even rescheduled surgeries and if more dengue patients require hospitalisation it will be difficult to accommodate them," said Dr Prasad Mugrikar, medical superintendent, Jehangir Hospital. At Jehangir Hospital, of the total 48 ICU beds, eight are reserved for H1N1 patients. "Usually we have a 90 per cent occupancy in ICU, which means around 44 beds are required for usual cases. We are packed to capacity," added Mugrikar.
Dr Parvez Grant, chief trustee of Ruby Hall Clinic, refused to admit that there is a shortage of ICU beds, but agreed that it is difficult to get beds in the general wards. "The burden of cases is too much," he added.
The situation at the government-run Sassoon Hospital is no better. "Forget dengue, ICUs in various other units are also being usedu00a0 to treat swine flu patients. The system will collapse if there is any more burden," said a senior doctor, on condition of anonymity.
Sassoon Hospital has 45 ICU beds 30 for general patients and 15 for H1N1 and all are occupied.
According to doctors, swine flu is drawing away attention from other dangerous ailments. The average mortality rate of dengue is five per cent compared to one per cent in case of swine flu.
"Dengue is more dangerous, as by this time of the year the cases should start receding. Instead, there is an increase in dengue cases being reported, but it is not getting enough attention," said Dr Devendra Shirole, former president of IMA.
He added that it was nearly impossible to find beds in ICUs for dengue cases, as the existing capacity is barely sufficient for treating routine cases and handling H1N1.
