This is in reference to incorrect report on disruption of electricity supply and management of Covid patients admitted in GMCH-32 and South Campus-48

Chandigarh.30th May,2021: This is in reference to incorrect report on disruption of electricity supply and management of Covid patients admitted in GMCH-32 and South Campus-48 during this period. The issue was got inquired in length and found that there is no link between the power failure and the deaths occurred in COVID ICU. Facts of the incidence are as follows: Yesterday night there were total of 116 patients on oxygen and 38 patients in 4 Covid ICUs in GMCH 32 and 30 patients on oxygen and 07 patients in ICU in South Campus 48. Electricity supply got disrupted at around 10.30 PM. JE electricity looking after both campuses was immediately contacted by MS to ensure that electricity supply to all critical areas is maintained. At that time electricity generating set were already switched on and electricity supply was being provided to all critical areas including ICUs in both campuses. Dr Sanjeev Palta, looking after ICUs also confirmed the same. He also called 3 additional consultants and 10 anaesthesia residents to deal with any eventuality. Once the thunderstorm settled down, MS along with Dr. S Palta reached the hospital (around 11.45 pm) and assessed the situation in all covid areas especially ICUs. DP was in constant touch with the team on site and monitoring the situation. All ventilators connected to Covid patients were functional and patients were being ventilated. Sadly, four critically ill patients died in 2 different Covid ICUs during night at different time on 30/05/21 i.e. at 12.20 am, 1.15 am, 1.30 am and at 2.00 am whereas the electricity supply through generating set was restored around 10.30 pm on 29/05/21. Ventilators were functional in the case of all these four patients. Attendants were aware of the clinical condition of these patients. It is further clarified that electricity generators installed in both campuses automatically switch on upon electricity disruption. Manpower is deployed there round the clock to switch them on in case it doesn’t happens automatically. In addition, ventilators installed in 3 ICUs supplied through PM CARES fund have their own battery back-up of 30 minutes. As an additional backup measure to deal with any further unforeseen circumstances in Covid ICUs, High Dependency Unit in ‘C’ Block with 12 ventilators beds was got vacated and prepared for receiving these patients if required.Thus, there was no adverse effect of power failure.