Pvt experts roped in to contain COVID-19 deaths in Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad, May 5 () The Gujarat government hasroped in private intensive care specialists to advise doctorsof the Ahmedabad civil hospital on how to control the highCOVID-19 death rate in the city.

Ahmedabad has so far reported 4,076 coronavirus casesand 234 deaths. The city's COVID-19 death rate stands at 5.8per cent as on Tuesday, against the national average of around3.2 per cent.

The idea to rope in specialists to bring down thedeath rate was mooted by Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, stateprincipal secretary (health) Jayanti Ravi said.

"We have decided to rope in private critical carespecialists, who have agreed to give their special service inthe wake of the pandemic. On Monday, we had a meeting of ourAhmedabad civil hospital team with some of these specialists,"she said.

They will guide the civil hospital doctors aboutcritical COVID-19 patients on a case-to-case basis, she said,expressing hope that the move would help save lives.

On Monday, Ahmedabad reported 26 COVID-19 deaths.

Out of the total 319 deaths in Gujarat so far,Ahmedabad has reported 234, or 73.3 per cent of total deathsin the state.

Earlier, some health experts in the state hadattributed the high death rate to the 'L strain' or 'Wuhanstrain' of the coronavirus. However, the Indian Council ofMedical Research (ICMR) later clarified that all strains ofthe virus can cause high number of deaths.

Ahmedabad Municipal Commissioner Vijay Nehra lastweek said the high death rate in Ahmedabad was because ofpeople coming late for admission in hospital.

He said if people come in time whenever they showsymptoms of the disease, then more lives can be saved.

The city civic body last week also launched aprogramme, called 'Save Our Old Population'.

Nehra said those over 65 years of age should notventure out of their homes and stay protected as many of thosewho died of coronavirus in the city were senior citizens. PDGK GK