New Delhi, Aug 21 (UNI) Staff safety and Insurance to staff are among challenges being faced by private healthcare providers due to COVID, says Dr Nagendra Swamy, Member- FICCI Health Services Committee and Founder Chairman-Medisync Health Management Services.

On asked that what are challenges being faced by private healthcare providers due to COVID?, Dr Swamy said, 'shortage of trained staff along with ICU infrastructure in secondary care facilities is huge challenge'.

'Staff safety and Insurance to staff is also creating challenges,' he said.

He said other main challenges of the Private Health sector include 'Unpreparedness of Private providers'.

'Initially only Government facilities were catering to COVID 19, sudden surge in cases made Govt to press for Private participation suddenly without giving sufficient time for preparation,' Dr Swamy said.

'There is lack of proper isolation facilities in most of the Private facilities. This is important to segregate COVID and Non COVID patients,' he said.

'Country has nearly 8 lakh beds in Government sector including government hospitals, medical college, railways, armed force and ESI etc. Private sector has around 8 lakh beds, out of which the tertiary care large hospitals (corporate + big hospitals) have around 1 lakh beds, Private Medical college hospitals have around 2.5 lakh beds and balance of 3.5 lakh secondary care beds are mostly catering to middle class which is back bone of Indian healthcare,' Dr Swamy said.

'To temporarily address the shortage of trained staff, final year Medical and Nursing students can be permitted to participate in the care,' Dr Swamy suggested.

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