CM inaugurates container ICU beds at KC General

City-based firm turns cargo containers into ICU area with beds and equipment

Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa inaugurated 100 container ICU beds at Malleswaram’s KC General Hospital on Monday.

While 50 of these beds are inside the hospital, the remaining 50 are in the Indian Population Project (IPP) building inside the campus.

Medical Superintendent B R Venkateshaiah said: "In all, we have 10 ICU modular containers. There are five ICU beds in each. Totally, 50 ICU beds are in containers, and 50 ICU beds are in the IPP building."

In attendance on Monday were Deputy Chief Minister Dr C N Ashwath Narayan, Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai, Health and Medical Education Minister Dr K Sudhakar, MLA Dinesh Gundu Rao and top health department officials.

While the containers are originally intended for transportation of cargo, city-based company Rinac India Ltd has turned them into ICUs.

How it works

The modular container ICUs are equipped with at least 16 cameras each to remotely monitor patients.

A trailer can shift the prefabricated modules to any location.

The containers are made airtight and insulated to prevent moisture or heat. The entry door has an airlock.

Each ‘room’ in the container has five beds, with PPE donning and doffing areas. Each bed has a ventilator and a monitor displaying vitals like blood pressure, heart rate, respiration and oxygen saturation, among others.

While 25 beds have Skanray ventilators, 25 others are from BPL purchased with PM CARES funds. The containers have been fitted with all connections for oxygen, suction and vacuum.