Udupi: ICU beds occupied; no oxygen shortage yet

Team Udayavani, May 4, 2021, 8:47 AM IST

Udupi: All 10 ICU beds each in the district hospital here and the taluk hospital at Kundapura have been occupied that caused minor problems to other patients admitted on Monday.

However, the district administration has said that presently there is no shortage of medical oxygen in the district and an additional 10 metric tonnes of oxygen is coming from Bellary.

Udupi district presently needs 6 tonnes of medical oxygen per day. Most of it is being brought in from Mangaluru and Bellary as the new oxygen refilling unit at Belapu is still awaiting allotment order.

It was also reported that calls to the district hospital’s helpline are unresponsive.

“There is a shortage of beds in government hospitals. However, if we increase the number of beds then there will be oxygen shortages. 10 metric tonnes of oxygen has left from Bellary and will reach here on Tuesday. Minister Bommai had instructed to increase the number of ICU beds in the district. Accordingly, more ICU beds will be added at Manipal’s Kasturba Hospital and Udupi’s Dr TMA Pai Hospital. I will discuss the call centre problem with the District Medical Officer and take appropriate action,” said Deputy Commissioner G Jagdeesha.