GBS: Pune Hospitals Struggle with Rising Guillain-Barré Syndrome Cases, ICU Beds in Short Supply

Pune, 14th February 2025: As cases of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) continue to rise in the city, government hospitals are grappling with a shortage of ICU beds, crucial for treating critically ill patients. With 205 reported cases since January 5, over 50 patients remain in intensive care, and 20 are on ventilator support, raising concerns among healthcare officials.

Many families, unable to afford the steep costs of private hospital treatment, have turned to government facilities, where GBS treatment, including intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy and plasmapheresis, is provided free of cost under the Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Jan Arogya Yojana (MJPJAY).

While this financial relief has helped patients, it has also led to a significant increase in GBS admissions at major public hospitals such as Sassoon General Hospital and Navale Hospital.

An official at Navale Hospital, which first reported an unusual surge in GBS cases on January 20, explained the growing burden on medical resources.

“We have been receiving referrals from private hospitals, often in severe condition. Just a few days ago, we had to turn away a GBS patient due to a lack of ICU beds. The family took the patient to a private hospital but returned within two days because they couldn’t afford the treatment costs,” the official said.

Currently, six GBS patients are under treatment at Navale Hospital, with five in intensive care and three in critical condition. The hospital, which has 37 ICU beds, is now under immense strain as it also accommodates patients undergoing dialysis and post-surgical critical care cases.

The situation is similarly critical at Sassoon General Hospital, where 39 ICU beds are in high demand. Officials there fear running out of critical care units as GBS cases require longer ICU stays—often two to three weeks or more—compared to most other critical illnesses, which typically require only a few days of intensive care.

A senior official at Sassoon noted, “Unlike Mumbai, where municipal hospitals are well-equipped, Pune’s government healthcare facilities are limited. A single new critical GBS admission could push us into a crisis.”

Currently, seven GBS patients are in Sassoon’s ICU, while the remaining 32 beds are occupied by other critically ill patients. Many of these GBS cases were referred from private hospitals, where families exhausted their financial resources.

Although MJPJAY provides financial assistance for GBS treatment, officials note that the ₹2.6 lakh coverage limit often falls short.

A pediatric specialist explained, “GBS treatment costs can range between ₹5-10 lakh, depending on the duration of ICU care. While MJPJAY covers critical care, ventilation, and other medical expenses, it only provides support for a limited period. Families often have to bear additional costs, making it difficult for many to continue treatment in private hospitals.”

With no signs of the GBS outbreak slowing down, government hospitals are now bracing for further pressure on ICU facilities and are calling for immediate reinforcement of public healthcare resources.