Covid-19: Ventilators or oxygen beds? Doctors differ on efficacy SECTIONS Share Synopsis In a video conference call with district health officers and deans of medical colleges in the state on Tuesday, health minister K Sudhakar had suggested use of noninvasive ventilators (NIV) for Covid-19 patients instead of oxygenated beds or high flow nasal oxygen bed (HFNO) to tide over the crippling shortage of oxygen. It left the medical community deeply divided. Doctors in Bengaluru closely working with the government also said clinical need should dictate if a patient needs ICU or invasive ventilation treatment and not state policy or the intention to conserve oxygen. (Representative photo: PTI)