CM visits DDU Hospital to review Corona preparedness, meet doctors and hospital administration to discuss the augmentation of ICU beds and other facilities

New Delhi: Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal visited the Deen Dayal Upadhay (DDU)Hospital of the Delhi government on Thursday to review the preparedness of the hospital in wake of a surge in COVID cases in Delhi. He thanked the medical team of the DDU Hospital for increasing the number of ICU beds from 50 to 100 beds. He also applauded the doctors and nurses and the medical fraternity in Delhi for effectively managing the COVID situation in Delhi. He said that the Delhi government is trying to combat the situation on a war footing, and visiting hospitals individually to increase the number of ICU beds.

Briefing the media, CM Shri Arvind Kejriwal said, “I met with the medical director and doctors at DDU and I’m extremely thankful to them for agreeing to increase the capacity of ICU beds dedicated for covid patients from 50 to 100. The medical staff in Delhi hospitals has been instrumental in effectively managing the situation at hand so far. However, owing to the sudden surge in cases, there has been a shortage of ICU beds. We are trying to combat the situation with war footing, and visiting hospitals individually to increase the number of ICU beds, and in this endeavor, we are receiving constant support from the medical staff and doctors.”

Responding to the query surrounding meeting with the home minister regarding help from Delhi Government to increase ICU beds, he said, “Hon’ble Home Minister had said that by Monday evening, 250 beds will be provided to us. Subsequently, on Tuesday another 250 beds will be provided. Around 750 ICU beds, 500 beds with ventilator, and 250 beds without ventilators will be allocated to us. We are still waiting but I’m hopeful that we will meet him soon. It’s my humble appeal to him to provide the beds at the earliest since it’s an emergency right now.”

CM Kejriwal said, “I met with the Hon’ble LG today to brief him about the Corona situation in Delhi. With mutual agreement, we felt that while the majority of Delhiites are following standard procedures for precautions against covid, there are a few because of whose negligence the infection spreads. Therefore it is necessary that the value of the fine be increased to Rs 2000 from the earlier Rs 500.