Maharashtra Faces Surge in Guillain-Barré Syndrome Cases, ICU Beds Running Full
Maharashtra Faces Surge in Guillain-Barré Syndrome Cases, ICU Beds Running Full
A 59-year-old man from Khadakwasla has died due to Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), raising Maharashtra’s death toll to eight. The number of confirmed and suspected cases has now reached 205, with two new cases detected.
According to PTI, 177 cases have been confirmed, and 20 patients are on ventilator support. Pune has reported the highest number of cases, while Mumbai recently recorded its first GBS death, a 53-year-old man. The first Mumbai case was detected on Saturday when a 64-year-old woman tested positive.
Nanded Gaon and nearby villages remain the worst-affected areas. The surge began on January 5, and though over 100 patients have recovered, 50 remain in intensive care. ICU beds in government hospitals are running full. Navale Hospital, which has 37 ICU beds, is treating six GBS patients, five in intensive care. Sassoon Hospital, with 39 ICU beds, is also under pressure.
Many families are turning to government hospitals due to the high cost of private treatment. A single IVIG dose costs around ₹20,000. Under the Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Jan Arogya Yojana (MJPJAY), government hospitals in Pune offer free treatment, including IVIG and plasmapheresis. However, the ₹2.6 lakh cap at private hospitals leaves families struggling with extra costs.
Doctors report that this year’s GBS cases are progressing faster, requiring longer ICU stays and ventilator support. Officials say early diagnosis and proper treatment can prevent fatalities, but the rising patient load is straining Pune’s healthcare system.
