PUNE: A sudden surge in swine flu (H1N1) cases, coupled with an already high incidence of dengue, chikungunya and Zika, has left patients scrambling for beds and timely medical care at major hospitals across the city.
The situation is so dire that both intensive care units (ICUs) and general wards at key health hubs are operating at full capacity.
Dr Prasad Muglikar, medical director at Ruby Hall Clinic, told TOI, “Despite our hospital having a higher bed capacity of 120 ICU beds compared to other hospitals, we are running at full occupancy.Even with this high capacity, the wait time is nearly four hours for beds. Similar is the case with general wards.”
A city-based working professional said, “My friend’s father recently suffered hip fractures following a fall. Despite his critical condition, we did not get a bed at multiple hospitals. We called nearly 20-25 numbers, but not a single bed was available.”
Dr Ameet Dravid, infectious disease specialist at Noble Hospital, attributed the bed shortfall to a spurt in H1N1 cases, besides the rise in mosquito-borne infection.
“For the past 15 days, we have been witnessing H1N1 patients coming to us with viral pneumonia and feeling of breathlessness, which made ventilators a must. About 95% of the patients are suffering from H1N1, while 5% are Covid positive. Other cases are arboviral infections [dengue, chikungunya and Zika],” he said
“Chikungunya is actually rivalling dengue in admitting patients into the hospitals with multiple complications. So, we are seeing more severe forms this season. These four illnesses are the ones filling up ICUs. Patients are also not getting beds in time,” Dr Dravid said, adding that chikungunya might be more virulent this time as it was causing complications of the brain, heart and kidneys.
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Dr Piyush Chaudhari, an infectious disease specialist at Jehangir Hospital, said, “We are witnessing more H1N1 and dengue cases with complications, making it difficult to find beds in both general wards and ICUs. We typically see a surge in severe H1N1 cases every 2-3 years since 2009. The swine flu virus undergoes antigenic shifts, with the viral strain changing significantly every few years, leading to severe cases. This last occurred in 2021-22.”
He said, “Chikungunya cases are occupying more beds in ward than intensive care unit (ICU). The complicated dengue and H1N1 patients are occupying more ICU beds.”
Dr Hrishikesh Joshi, MD (internal medicine) at Deenanath Mangeshkar hospital, said, “Many people are finding it difficult to secure ICU and general ward beds in big hospitals. During the monsoon season, even those with minor ailments like vomiting and dehydration tend to seek hospital admission, further straining the resources.”
Dr Ajit Tambolkar, intensivist and ICU consultant at Poona Hospital, said, “We are seeing a lot of patients with H1N1, especially people with comorbid conditions like diabetes and obesity. They require long-term ventilator support. So, it’s taking more time for them to recover from intensive care. Recovery has been good but prolonged this time. Mortality is less with H1N1 compared to a few years back, but the process of healing is taking longer.”