With private hospitals running short of beds and ICUs occupied with Covid-19 patients, the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the hospitals in the private sector have urged people to follow precautions before its too late.
The whole healthcare system in the country in private and government sector, are overwhelmed with the increasing number of Covid-19 cases. Getting a sick patient admitted to a private hospital is nearly impossible these days.
"Private healthcare system is a close associate of the Ministry of Health and the hospitals in this sector are doing an exemplary work catering to the Covid-19 patients," said Dr Mazin al Khabori, Head of Private Hospitals at the Ministry of Health.
Speaking to the Observer, Sameer PT, Chief Executive Officer at Badr al Samaa Group of Hospitals, said they are receiving an enormous number of critically sick Covid-19 patients daily.
"We get calls in all of our hospitals across Oman from primary healthcare facilities for shifting of patients to our advanced ICUs for critical care and ventilator support. However, not every time is it possible for us to help such patients due to 100 per cent occupancy rates in Covid-19 beds."
"In such scenario, people deteriorate at homes or succumb at primary care hospitals," adds Sameer.
In the early days of Covid-19, there were 41 Covid-19 beds, including 16 ICU’s and eight ventilators, with the hospital group that has a large number of outlets. Owing to rising demand, it stretched ourselves, and the number stands at 142 Covid-19 beds, including 29 ICU beds and 19 ventilators. But it has been proved that this number is also not sufficient in the current scenario.
Shinu Simon, Assistant Manager-Operations at Abeer Hospital, pointed at the fact that the availability of skilled and trained medical staff is a stumbling block these days besides the lack of infrastructure.
"We know the scenario is getting worse across the world. But the shortage of trained medical staff is hampering some of us in the private sector, and immediate requirement of critical healthcare workers is a big hassle," he said.
He indicated that there are lots of asymptomatic patients who don't show symptoms but can be carriers of the virus. Precaution alone can save each one's life these days.
"I earnestly request everyone who feels symptomatic to take precaution and maintain social distancing and to avoid going to the hospital so that the chances of spreading the virus is less."
Dr Hemant of Aster Hospital admitted that the hospital is in its full capacity at the moment.
"We are triaging patients, trying to accommodate serious ones, and it is clear that the facilities are under a lot of pressure. We need to expand our ICU and HDU (High Dependency Unit) beds, but skilled manpower is a major obstacle."
He added strategy has to be multi-pronged... at the government level, we need to provide the necessary facility for express recruitment of nurses and doctors and continued vaccination drive, while at the hospital level, they must expand the beds available for Covid-19 patients and if the need is, create field hospitals. At the community level, all precautions are strictly enforced, especially regarding proper wearing of a mask, avoiding crowding and getting together, and most importantly, being vigilant for symptoms and consult physicians for early detection and treatment rather than when they get very sick.
"It is a war against a clever, unseen adversary and only with discipline and knowledge can we win over it."
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