India, Feb. 27 -- It's been more than a week since the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system of the intensive care unit (ICU) at Aundh District Hospital (ACU) stopped working following a motor malfunction, causing critically-ill patients added inconvenience and discomfort and raising concerns over infection control and infrastructure maintenance at the government-run facility.

With the ICU - which has 14 beds for both male and female patients - currently running at almost full occupancy, patients who are already critical are forced to endure the heat and humidity, likely worsening their condition. "There are no proper alternative arrangements like fans in the ICU," said the relative of a patient admitted to the ICU.

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