Jumbo Covid facility at Annasaheb Magar stadium marches with positive strides
As the count of COVID19 cases in the city is rising in the Pune district there have been cases of deaths causing because of shortage of beds, ICU, ventilator beds as well as oxygenated beds across all hospitals, be it private or Public. Even the arrangements made at the Jumbo facility at COEP was in the limelight for wrong reasons and mismanagement at the center due to poor facilities.
But the Jumbo COVID19 facility at Annasaheb Magar Stadium has become a site of growing attention from the citizens for its proper management and effective results to the patients.
After the mismanagement debacle at the COVID care center at COEP all eyes were on the functioning of the Jumbo hospital in PCMC, situated at Annasaheb Magar Stadium.
Pune Pulse correspondent Akash Dhanurkar conducted a survey to find out the exact feedback about all arrangements made at the center.
According to the information provided by Dr. Priti Victor, chief administrative officer, at the Annasaheb Magar COVID care center, it is found that the center has so far admitted 860 patients since its establishment, with the death count of 57 patients. While sharing the current status of the Jumbo facility, she confirmed that the center has total 538 patients admitted and 305 have been discharged. 70 patients are in ICU, while all the 30 ventilators are full. The center has also started a ‘help center’ in the green zone of the hospital – mainly arranging conference calls of families with the patients; and thus, only trying to maintain the morale of the patients. The center is managed by the ‘Medbros Health care Pvt, Ltd.’
According to the information shared by Priti Victor that the center is equipped with a team of 80 doctors, 800 beds (300 are vacant, while more than 500 are in use), 10 Ambulances – out of which only 6 are equipped with oxygen supply).
While talking to Pune Pulse, she said that “Majority of our patients are happy with the given treatment. We are providing nutrition packed food, along with one-on-one counselling to the patients.”
The COVID center is designed into three zones :
Green Zone – Entrance and the Help Center or Call center has been in place at the green zone. Relatives of the patients can meet the authorities in the green zone.
Red Zone – Only the doctors and the staff are allowed to enter the inside premises where patients are admitted. However, the distance between the two zones is 750 meters.
While talking to Pune Pulse, one of the family members of the admitted patient at the center, said, “Along with proper cleanliness, the staff here is too friendly and the doctors keep us updated on the patient’s health. The video conferencing system made available by the center is helping us track our patient’s condition and keep them mentally strong.”
Another family confirmed a positive review about the services, he said, “Our patient has been admitted since the past five days. But during the past five days, I have been able to keep the track of my patient without having to worry about his health. The staff, here, ensures that we are updated on every situation of the patient.”
One of the discharged patients from the hospital and a resident of PCMC he added, “When I was tested positive for COVID, I first visited a private hospital. However, I changed my plan after I heard the charges. So, being left with no option but to choose a government facility and without any further delay I got admitted to the COVID center. To my surprise, the treatment given and the follow ups taken by the doctors, here, deserve an applause. The quality of food, too, is great.”
According to the information obtained through the hospital authorities, and the dean, Dr Sangram Kapale, on an average, the center daily admits 50 – 60 patients, along with discharge of 40 – 50 patients. The center works through referral process. Only those patients get admitted who have been referred by the YCM, New Bhosari Hospital, New Jijamata, Sasoon, PMC Control Room, and IDSP Control Room. In order to get admitted, citizen may have to get tested in the mentioned hospitals and accordingly confirm the vacancy through a call for the bed at the center.
The dean also said that “All we request the citizens is if you feel the symptoms of COVID, please do contact the doctors than the pharmacist. Because, as soon as you have diagnosed the COVID symptoms it is easier for us to start the treatment before it reaches the lungs. Do not treat it as a taboo.” This is the helpline number where patients can contact : 9552578749
Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation Commissioner, Shravan Hardikar informed “Beds would not be increased in the current scenario but we are working on bringing more ventilators at Jumbo facilities. This will definitely help in providing timely help to the patients.”
PMRDA official on the condition of anonymity said that we shall send need a proposal to the state government and the local bodies to increase the count of ventilators in the Jumbo centers.
Dr Pavan Salve, chief medical officer, Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation said, “The number of ventilators will be increased to control deaths. PCMC shall discuss the issue with PMRDA too.on case of supply of ventilators. ”
