Ctg running out of isolation beds

With the number of Covid-19 patients increasing everyday, the beds dedicated for them in Chattogram are going to be filled up soon; so the authorities must take immediate steps, said health experts and concerned citizens.

According to the civil surgeon's office, the number of dedicated beds for Covid-19 patients is 315 in Chattogram. Till Saturday, the number of people infected with coronavirus was 219.

A total of 64 patients have been discharged by this time, and 125 are undergoing treatment in the hospitals. Eighteen persons have died so far.

If the number of patients in isolation is taken into account, the figure will be much higher as according to the civil surgeon's office, a total of 219 patients were in isolation till Saturday. Many of them were admitted to hospitals and many were in home isolation.

Only two government hospitals have been dedicated for treating Covid-19 patients. Chattogram General Hospital has 100 isolation beds and 10 ICU beds while Bangladesh Institute of Tropical and Infectious Diseases has 50 isolation beds. The rest 165 are at 14 upazila health complexes.

Besides, privately-initiated Chattogram Field Hospital is treating both Covid-19 and non-Covid-19 patients with a capacity of 60 beds.

"We have 100 isolation beds and 62 patients are admitted to the isolation ward," Dr Abdur Rob, senior consultant of medicine at CGH, said yesterday. "Number of positive cases is increasing day by day," he said.

Under this circumstance, concerned citizens and health experts urged the government to take immediate steps to increase the number of isolation beds and dedicated hospitals.

"If the government does not take immediate steps to increase the number of dedicated Covid-19 hospitals, patients will suffer," said SM Nazer Hossain, central vice president of Consumers Association of Bangladesh.

Dr Mahfuzur Rahman, convener of Public Health Rights Protection Committee, Chattogram, said "At least 1,000 beds should be made ready immediately. Railway Hospital and Chattogram Port Hospital can be used in this regard."

Dr Faisal Iqbal Chowdhury, general secretary of Bangladesh Medical Association, Chattogram unit, said, "The government can also use private hospitals to treat Covid-19 patients."

Contacted, Dr Hasan Shahriar Kabir, Chattogram divisional director of DGHS, said they are aware of this matter and planning to add another 300 isolation beds soon.

"A 100-bed Holy Crescent Covid-19 Hospital has been prepared by private clinic owners and we can requisite it right away," he said. "Besides, a 100-bed Chattogram City Corporation General Hospital can be used. I had a talk with the port city mayor and he has given consent," he added.

"Two other hospitals -- a 50-bed Railway Hospital and a 50- bed Chattogram Port Hospital -- can also be used if needed," said Dr Hasan.