Tirupati's SVR Ruia, SVIMS at loggerheads over admitting COVID-19 patients

Tirupati: SVR Ruia Hospital and SVIMS in Tirupati are still at loggerheads regarding admissions of COVID-19 patients. Recently, an octogenarian from Kadapa district who tested positive had been admitted to Ruia and later been referred to the SVIMS which had refused to admit him. Finally, the district administration had intervened and asked SVIMS to admit the man.

This incident has brought to light the lack of coordination between the hospitals treating Corona virus patients. In fact, the government has identified SVIMS's Sri Padmavathi Medical College for Women as the state's COVID-19 hospital.

Earlier, suspected cases and infected patients were shifted to the old maternity block of SVR Ruia Hospital. An 80-year-old patient from Kadapa was admitted to the hospital on Sunday and the hospital authorities had referred him to the state COVID hospital as he was old and prone to possible risks due to low immunity levels. Initially, the authorities of SVIMS had denied admission to the patient as he was referred by Ruia. Finally, the hospital authorities admitted him after collector Dr Narayana Bharath Gupta intervened.

On Sunday, the district registered seven new cases that were admitted to Ruia. Due to inadequate facilities, Ruia has decided to shift seven patients to SVIMS. “Now, there are 10 patients in Ruia. They will be discharged soon after they test negative. Ruia's isolation ward has only 14 beds. Now, seven cases have been reported and they will be shifted to SVIMS," Dr. Gupta said.

Further, TTD has sanctioned Rs. 19 crore towards the purchase of ventilators and other medical equipment at the Sri Padmavati Hospital. Executive officer Anil Kumar Singhal said they had already handed over Rs. 8 crore to the district authorities and the remaining Rs. 11 crore will be given away soon.