Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren launched two dedicated "Covid circuits" aimed at pooling available medical resources and infrastructure from a cluster of neighbouring districts to ensure timely admission and treatment of critical patients free of cost.

Unveiling the plan at an online function held at his residence in Kanke on Saturday, Hemant said that in the first phase, the two circuits had been set up in Ranchi and Jamshedpur (East Singbhum), the two districts that have been hit hardest by the pandemic. In the coming days, and depending on the requirement, the state government would roll out four to six similar circuits in other regions.

Chief minister Hemant Soren inaugurates two 'Covid circuits' online from his residence in Ranchi on Saturday. Manob Chowdhary

“The idea of a covid circuit is simple—if beds aren’t available in Ranchi or Jamshedpur, patients will then be rushed to nearby districts that have been tagged with either of the cities for early hospitalisation. Considering the surge of cases in Ranchi and Jamshedpur, hospitals are full, leading to a crisis of beds and other resources. However, there are other places where available resources are under-utilised. Hence, we have identified places near these hotspots where patients can be rushed to in the least possible time,” Hemant said.

Ranchi circuit comrpises six districts of Lohardaga, Ramgarh, Khunti, Gumla, Simdega and Latehar. Jamshedpur circuit comprises the two adjoining districts of West Singbhum and Seraikela-Kharsawan. Hemant said it would be the administration’s responsibility to accommodate patients from within respectivecircuits.

Hemant provided instances of under-utilised resources. “In the Kolhan region comprising East Singbhum, West Singhbhum and Seraikela-Kharsawan, out of 1,500 oxygen-supported beds, only 500 beds are empty currently. But East Singbhum (Jamshedpur) is reeling under an acute crisis of beds,” he said, adding that the tendency of patients to come to the city for better treatment was leading to a crisis.

Hemant also announced helplines to provide information on availability of beds and ambulances. “Those in Ranchi can call 0561-2411144, while those in Jamshedpur can call 0657-2440111 to know about resources in a circuit. Simultaneously, one can dial 8987510050. If you have your own resources to reach the hospital, you can take the patient. Or else, we shall provide help in the least possible time after receiving calls on these numbers,” Hemant said, underlining that the government would providing all these services free of cost.

The chief minister said that for greater transparency,  the state government was upgrading surveillance at hospitals for strict monitoring.  Manob Chowdhary

Hemant reiterated that avaliability of oxygen and other resources was sufficient in Jharkhand to fight the pandemic and appealed to people not to panic. “I understand it is natural to panic or feel frustrated with the system when you are in a crisis. But let me assure you all again that the government is fully committed to do its best. Many times, panic is leading to chaos. Now is the time when we all have to show restraint and work together to fight the virus,” he said.

The chief minister said that for greater transparency, the state government was upgrading surveillance at hospitals for strict monitoring. “At Sadar hospital in Ranchi, we have installed CCTVs at all key places on priority. Similarly, at oxygen refilling stations, I have ordered CCTVs so that the authorities van keep a tab on the situation and curb black marketing or other forms of harassment,” he said.

50 beds at Military Hospital

The Military Hospital in Namkum, Ranchi, will also set up a 50-bed hospital to treat Covid patients from Tuesday, army officials announced on Saturday after a meeting with the chief minister.

A few days ago, Hemant requested the Union government for military help in Covid combat. During the meeting on Saturday, army officials informed the chief minister of their preparedness to open a hospital for the public with 50 dedicated beds and demanded oxygen connections for them.

An official release from the chief minister's office said that the government was working on the oxygen requirements and that it hopes to start the facility from Tuesday.