Amid complaints, Lifeline Hospitals pulls out of Pune Covid-19 facility

The agency operating a newly-created jumbo COVID-19 facility in Pune has withdrawn and interim arrangements have been put in place to keep it functional, said Divisional Commissioner Saurabh Rao on Tuesday.

The agency, Lifeline Hospitals Pvt Ltd, was issued a notice after several lapses were observed at the facility located on the COEP ground here.

"The agency (Lifeline Hospitals Pvt Ltd) which was given the work to operate the facility has withdrawn. We have already made interim arrangements by roping in two agencies, one of which is operating the Pimpri Chinchwad-based jumbo facility," Rao informed.

He said the situation at the facility was being monitored by the district administration and a final call on Lifeline's suspension will be taken in a day.

"The manpower and medical situation is improving at the jumbo hospital. Online consultation of senior doctors from other private hospitals is also being taken," he said.

He said a medical dean will be appointed to ensure doctors with required qualification are available at the facility and to monitor if protocols set by the task force was being followed.

Rao said the Pune civic body had set up a system through which the condition of patients was being communicated to kin via phone and audio-video mechanism.

Pune municipal commissioner Vikram Kumar said 45 deaths had taken place at the facility in the last 12 days.

Earlier in the day, a senior official from the agency which has been served notice claimed many doctors and nurses quit the facility after a sudden rise in the number of patients there.

Last week, a news channel journalist died at jumbo medical facility and his kin had alleged he did not get a cardiac ambulance in time.

Following his death, there were allegations about mismanagement at the jumbo hospital.