Patients suffering from severe illnesses are finding it nearly impossible to access treatment in intensive care units (ICUs) in Mangaluru. The district’s Wenlock Hospital ICUs remain full year-round, with no space for additional patients. Meanwhile, private hospitals are not honoring the Ayushman Bharat Arogya Karnataka scheme, leaving many in desperate need of care.

At Wenlock Hospital, each ICU bed occupied means either transferring an existing patient or, tragically, the loss of a life. The hospital serves patients from over 15 districts, including Dakshina Kannada, but political pressure often influences ICU admissions.

The newly built Wenlock Hospital boasts 95 ICU beds—30 for children and 65 for adults—but all are consistently occupied. To meet demand, an additional 100 ICU beds would require more nurses and Group D staff to work across three shifts. The current shortage of nursing staff worsens the situation.

Under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, impoverished patients can receive free treatment in private hospitals, including ICU care for 55 specified conditions. However, private hospitals frequently fail to adhere to this, with many patients opting for Wenlock to avoid hefty private bills. This has led to treatment delays and a shortage of ICU beds.

Mangaluru, home to seven medical colleges, should have at least 350 ICU beds based on guidelines, but availability remains insufficient. The implementation of the Ayushman Bharat scheme is also flawed, with patients often forced to pay significant amounts upfront.