The COVID-19 outbreak caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus successfully destroyed human defense mechanisms and resulted in the tragic and quick morbidity and mortality of millions across the globe. Results were not different in India and Navi Mumbai. As the disease outbreak was recognized in early 2020, DY Patil University School of Medicine & DY Patil Hospital identified the healthcare needs of the society and started preparedness to fight the pandemic.

DY Patil Hospital was the only hospital within a 5 km radius that was treating non-COVID-19 patients during the first wave of the pandemic, and patients were also referred by the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation Hospital. Dedicated areas were prepared for the management of COVID-19 patients, and dedicated beds were earmarked for providing services to police and CRPF personnel.

DY Patil Hospital collaborated with Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation to set up a dedicated 200-bed COVID-19 ICU with oxygen support and 80 ventilators for COVID-19 management. These were in addition to the existing ICU beds converted for COVID-19. The hospital also participated in mass screening of the general population in Navi Mumbai, and more than 20000 people were screened during this pandemic.

Over 9100 COVID-19 patients from different regions were treated in the hospital from March 2020 till date. The hospital offered treatment to patients with different government schemes, private patients, and general patients from Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation.
It is noteworthy that out of the total number of patients with COVID-19, most (8187) were treated in ICUs. DY Patil Hospital also provided care and treatment to pregnant mothers who were COVID-19 positive. A total of 27 COVID-19-positive mothers were delivered in the hospital.

Patients in the hospital were treated as per the national guidelines issued by the ICMR from time to time. From March 2020 onwards, close to 10,988 doses of redeliver and 311 doses of tocilizumab were given to COVID-19 patients. A total of 33,072 patients were screened in “Fever OPD”. Throughout the pandemic, hospitals quickly adopted guidelines from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), UGC, and those issued by the Govt. of India.

During the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, another sudden challenge of mucormycosis was successfully tackled by a team of experts from different specialties including ENT, medicine, surgery, and emergency services.

The institution quickly adapted to the new normal in healthcare, teaching-learning activities, and biomedical research. Burnout of healthcare professionals including those of post-graduate students was another challenge that hospitals needed to fight with during this difficult time. The team effort of administrators, well supported by the management and trustees, DY Patil University Institute (s) emerged victoriously with a sense of satisfaction for providing wholehearted patient care with compassion, community service, and supporting local district administration without compromising on the teaching activities
of the students.

The hospital works on the values of “Compassion”, “Care” and “Cure”. The practice of these values became evident and reflected through the feedback of patients and their relatives during the COVID-19 pandemic. Screening and early intervention practices were employed by the hospital. Special areas were marked for all patients walking in the hospital. Suspected patients were then sent to a specially created area “Fever OPD” for screening and testing for COVID-19 which was operative round the clock with a dedicated team of staff including doctors, paramedical personnel, and support staff who worked in shifts throughout the week.