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Patient overload at GMCH as civil hosp's referrals pour in

Aurangabad: With the rising number of viral infections and dengue cases, the Government Medical College and Hospital ( GMCH ) is overloaded with patients, forcing the hospitall administration to put mattresses on the floor in order to accommodate the patients.

Being the only state-run tertiary care hospital in the district, the GMCH sees a large number of patients from across Aurangabad and nearby districts like Buldhana, Parbhani, Jalna and Ahmedanagar on a regular basis.

Also, lack of readiness at Chikalthana district civil hospital is leading to rampant referrals to the GMCH.

Due to spurt in dengue cases, the number of indoor patients at the hospital has dramatically increased. Though the hospital has a strong team of specialists, the extra load is challenging its infrastructural capability thereby affecting the quality of care.

The GMCH has seen over 1,500 dengue patients from September 15. In addition, cases related to infections and fever have also shot up due to the weather conditions.

Meenakshi Bhattacharya, head of department of medicine, said in case of epidemic the district civil hospital can pitch in by taking care of the patients near the Chikalthana, Cidco and Mukundwadi areas.

“When we get patients with high grade fever, our aim is to get them admitted and provide treatment even when we do not have beds to accommodate them,” she said, adding that the 30 diseases falling under National Programme for Infection Control which need special ward can also be provided by the district civil hospital.

According to GMCH dean Kanan Yelikar, not all cases are severe and can be treated at secondary level. “Most of the patients coming to us are OPD or reassurance cases which can be dealt at district civil hospital level. If they are taking care of such patients then how come we are getting such heavy load?” she asked.

Yelikar said the GMCH is ready to cooperate within their capacity. “In order to handhold the civil district hospital to be able to handle dengue cases, I can help by sending our consultant for a month at their hospital,” she said.

When asked, Swapnil Lale, deputy director of health services, said provision for ward and specialists can be done. “I will speak to the district civil surgeon about setting up an isolation ward and dengue ward at the Chikalthana district civil hospital,” he said.

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