Delhi Government Eases Private Hospital Infrastructure Norms to Increase Bed Capacity as Vector-Borne Disease Cases Cross 200

The Delhi government has relaxed infrastructure norms for private nursing homes in the national capital for three months to help healthcare facilities raise bed capacity as the number of people affected by vector-borne diseases this season crosses 200.

According to health reports released by various municipal corporations of Delhi, as many as 200 people are affected by dengue, chikungunya and malaria. This includes 56 cases of dengue, 109 of malaria and 37 of chikungunya infections reported in Delhi till August 4.

A circular issued by Director General of Health Services (DGHS) Kirti Bhushan asks private hospitals and nursing homes to increase their bed strength by 10- 20 per cent till October 31. The hospitals are allowed to waive clauses regarding infrastructure and manpower in Rule 14 of Delhi Nursing Homes Registration Rule 2011 to accommodate extra bed in the existing wards, the circular adds. As per the current regulations, hospitals and nursing homes in the capital have to follow a specified floor-to-bed ratio to get registration. They have to provide 80 sq. ft space for one bed and 60 sq. ft for every additional bed in a ward, not including space for toilets.

The hospitals must use additional beds to treat patients who show symptoms of vector-borne diseases. Such patients should be charged only 50 per cent of the lowest tariff category of the hospital.

The advisory recommends placing extra beds in the corridors and waiting areas to accommodate fever patients during exigency. More than one patient may be accommodated on a single bed, and if a patient needs to be shifted a higher centre, the person should be transferred in the hospital ambulance accompanied by a doctor in coordination with the casualty medical officer of the higher centre.

Official reports show that malaria cases are on the rise in the city with the onset of monsoon. Two cases of malaria were reported in February, one each in April and March, 17 in May, 25 in June, 42 in July and 21 till August 4, according to a report released by the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC), which tabulates data on vector-borne diseases for the city. Of the total 56 dengue cases, seven were reported in the first week of August, 19 were reported in July, six in January, three in February, one in March, two in April, 10 in May and eight in June.

As many as 10 people died and more than 9,000 people affected by vector-borne diseases in the city last year.- Pharmabiz