A severe shortage of operational ventilators at Ranchi's Sadar Hospital is creating a life-threatening crisis, forcing doctors to turn away critically ill patients. Shockingly, 75 ventilators supplied under the PM CARES Fund during the Covid-19 pandemic are lying unused and non-functional at the facility.
A Superspecialty Hospital in Distress
Originally planned as a 500-bed superspecialty unit, Sadar Hospital has expanded its services to accommodate over 800 beds. However, this growth has not been matched by critical care infrastructure. Currently, only five ventilators are operational to serve the massive patient load, causing immense hardship for those requiring advanced respiratory support.
Idle Machines and Wasted Resources
A hospital official revealed the alarming state of the vital equipment. "Dozens of ventilators were supplied through the PM CARES Fund, but they have not been made functional," the official stated. The situation highlights a grave risk of technical decay. If such life-saving equipment remains idle for long, it deteriorates, becoming unusable and resulting in a colossal waste of public resources.
The immediate consequence is a daily struggle for patients. With just five ventilators available for critical care, the hospital is regularly referring patients to private or other government facilities. This not only delays urgent treatment but also imposes a heavy financial strain on families.
Patient Burden and Official Response
Meena Kumari, an attendant for a patient, shared the ground reality. "The unavailability forces us to seek expensive private care. This delay in emergencies and the added cost is a huge burden many cannot afford," she said.
Ranchi Civil Surgeon, Dr. Prabhat Kumar, acknowledged the gap. "The existing ventilators do not meet the hospital's current requirements. Their capacity is insufficient," he explained. He confirmed that a proposal for procuring new ventilators has been sent to the health department. A meeting will soon be convened to review the condition of the existing machines and seek the state health department's support for their replacement. Dr. Kumar added that the hospital intends to purchase 20 new ventilators in the first phase to address the acute shortage.
