No ICU in hospitals of Habiganj

Covid-19 patients suffer immensely as there is no intensive care unit (ICU) facility at the hospitals in Habiganj.

Fifty-six-year-old Abdus Sobhan from the district has been admitted to Habiganj Sadar Hospital with Covid-19 infection.

His son Abdus Salam said, "My father needs high flow oxygen, which is available in Sylhet. Even if it costs more, we have to go to Sylhet as there is no ICU facility in the corona unit of the hospital for treatment of critical Covid-19 patients."

About 12 lakh people live in Habiganj but there is no ICU facility in the district and due to this, people of the district have to rush to Sylhet to avail the facility, said Tofazzal Sohel, coordinator of Habiganj Shankhubdo Nagorik Andolon.

Sadek Mia, a patient of Habiganj municipality, said although the coronavirus situation in the district is deteriorating with sharp rise in the number of detected cases, no step has yet been taken to install intensive care facility in the hospital. 

"All of us have been given oxygen through cylinders and in that case, if the cylinder runs out suddenly, it will be impossible to supply oxygen by refilling the cylinder immediately. In this situation, I'm planning to go to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital," he said.

Besides, the only sadar hospital in the district does not have adequate oxygen storage. There is no liquid oxygen plant. Oxygen is supplied through the cylinder. In this situation, the victims are taking the service with risk.

Meanwhile, the only Balla land port in the district was closed due to the increase in coronavirus infection in India. But so far 10 people from Brahmanbaria district have entered the district from India through Akhaura land port. They have already returned home at the end of quarantine.

Deputy Civil Surgeon Mukhlesur Rahman Ujjwal said 100 beds have been prepared for corona patients on the 6th floor of the new building of Sadar Adhunik Hospital. There is central oxygen here. Oxygen is supplied through it through a large cylinder. But there is no system of liquid oxygen. If the patient grows, there will be problems. Adequate oxygen supply may not be possible.

He added that "Patients are being advised to seek treatment at home if the condition worsens. The infection rate here is 10 percent. However, the death rate is still under control. Although our district is not on the risk list. However, the possibility of risk cannot be ruled out. Besides, a PCR lab is being set up at Sadar Hospital."

According to the district health department, 100 beds have been prepared in two corona units at Sadar Adhunik Hospital. Apart from Shayestaganj and Sadar upazilas, a total of 35 beds have been prepared in five health centers in each of the other seven upazilas.

Total 2,713 people have been infected with Covid-19 in Habiganj so far and 2110 others have recovered. And 19 people have died.