Even those who need treatment are wary of visiting the Covid-19 unit of Sher-e-Bangla Medical College and Hospital (SBMCH) at Barishal, citing a major lack of resources and a dirty environment.

The isolation unit at SBMCH is the only medical centre dedicated to treating Covid-19 in the division of Barishal and adjoining districts of Madaripur and Shariatpur. The unit began its journey last year, promising to have 150 beds.

However, the number of beds at the unit never exceeded 100, and as the country battles the second wave of infections, doctors and health workers are struggling to treat an increasing number of patients. After all, during the first wave, the unit had seven times more manpower.

Last Friday, there were 146 patients admitted at the Covid-19 unit, with at least 46 of them staying on the floor.

The specialised unit has only six doctors and two cleaners working in three shifts. There are 12 ICUs, but no specialists to manage those. Although an anaesthetist Dr Nazmul managed the ICUs with his training, the effectiveness of the intensive care units has been questioned by patients due to the lack of experienced and trained nurses to tend to those patients.

One admitted patient's relative, Sirajul Islam, posted about his experience at SBMCH on social media. "I have to pay to get any work done around here, from oxygen supply to cleanliness. Last Friday a patient waited four hours for treatment and then died because he wasn't given oxygen," alleged Sirajul.

A cleaner told this correspondent that she is doing this work temporarily, and so she is accepting money for patients if they need her services.

A relative of one of the patients said, "We can't get any basic service here without money. The nurses don't pay attention. Doctors come around to check on patients only once, even then they are often on the phone."

Dr Nazmul, who is in charge of the ICU beds of the unit, said, "It is impossible to manage the ICUs for just one person. We are still trying, putting the work before any personal problems. But that is not a solution. There is no substitute for sufficient manpower to run the hospital."

Assistant Director of Administration at SBMCH and in-charge of the isolation unit, Maniruzzaman Shaheen said, "Forty doctors were on duty here last year. Now there are six doctors working in three shifts, and there are more patients than before. There are next to no cleaners available. It is impossible to run a hospital by hiring temporary help. We have told the authorities about the urgent need for manpower but did not receive any help."

"Meanwhile the hospital authority is trying to increase the number of beds to 200. But if manpower stays the same, how can that work?" questioned Shaheen.

"Moreover, the ICUs are only operating at 50 percent capacity as there aren't enough specialist doctors. We try to avoid ICU treatment and make do with high-flow nasal cannula in most cases. But 10 out out 22 cannulas are damaged," he added.

SBMCH Deputy Director Abdur Razzak said that despite repeated letters to the Ministry of Health to recruit manpower on an emergency basis, no action is being taken.

"We have 136 doctors at the hospital, when we need 225. There is even less support available than before and this has affected treatment of Covid-19. A patient told me that the harsh reality can be understood only if one gets admitted at the Covid-19 ward," said Razzak.

In a visit to the spot, it was found that the stairs of the Covid-19 unit are broken, and the toilet is in bad shape. Few patients were receiving treatment on time.

According to hospital sources, 518 patients have been admitted to the Covid-19 ward since the start of the pandemic, of whom 151 died.