99 Ventilators Supplied to Chandigarh Hospital During COVID, Only 35 Now Working: Health Ministry
The central government supplied 99 ventilators to Chandigarh's Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) in Sector 32 during the COVID-19 pandemic, but only 35 are currently functional, according to a reply by the Union Health Ministry in the Lok Sabha on Friday.
The revelation came in response to a question raised by Chandigarh MP Manish Tewari, who sought details on the number of ventilators provided to GMCH-32. Tewari expressed strong displeasure over the situation, stating, 'This apathy is criminal for lack of a better word.'
The non-functional ventilators highlight significant maintenance lapses, raising concerns about the preparedness of critical care infrastructure in the region. Of the 99 machines supplied, 64 are now lying unused, posing questions about the upkeep of life-saving equipment during and after the pandemic.
The issue underscores the broader challenges in healthcare infrastructure management, where equipment supplied during health emergencies often suffers from neglect once the immediate crisis subsides. The parliamentary reply did not specify the reasons for the ventilators becoming non-functional or the timeline for repairs.
