ICU beds being kept occupied by influentials!
The Covid-19 situation is dire in Barishal. With worrying spike in cases, people are frantically searching for ICU beds to admit their loved ones, only to be informed that there is no empty bed available at the Barishal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital (SBMCH), the lone Covid-dedicated hospital in the division.
There are only 26 ICU beds and 300 general beds at the hospital to treat Covid-19 patients. However, SBMCH is overrun with coronavirus patients at present, with many being treated even on the floors and corridors.
Yesterday, 14 people died at the hospital out of total 18 Covid-related deaths in the division.
Amid such a situation, some influential people keep the ICU beds at the Corona Isolation Unit of the hospital occupied by themselves or their relatives, who do not need immediate ICU support, while those with severe condition are being denied of treatment.
The allegation was made by hospital director HM Saiful Islam at a meeting on the Covid situation at the deputy commissioner's office in the city on Monday afternoon. This correspondent was present at the meeting.
The hospital director said at least four patients were being taken to the ICU forcibly by their family members every day, even though they do not need such support.
"We have only 26 ICU beds. At least 30 people are waiting for an ICU bed at the hospital. We only admit those with severe condition but the influential people keep occupying those unnecessarily," he added.
At the meeting, deputy commissioner Md Jasimuddin said around midnight on Saturday, three patients, whose oxygen level was around 90, were removed from the ICU by police.
Dr Basudeb Kumar Das, Barishal divisional health director of Directorate General of Health Services, said, "We are worried about the present situation at the hospital's Covid unit." He called upon the authorities concerned to resolve the matter immediately.
The deputy commissioner said they have to send police to the hospital's Covid unit almost every night to resolve the situation.
"We will take strict measures in this regard and hold a press conference tomorrow [today] to decide on our course of action," he added.
COVID BEDS TO DOUBLE
Meanwhile, the health directorate and the district level committee on coronavirus have decided to double the number of Covid beds in Barishal district.
There are a total 320 beds available for Covid-19 patients at the 12 government hospitals in the district. The authorities concerned are planning to increase the number of beds to cope with the surge in cases.
The decision was taken at a meeting at the Barishal deputy commissioner's office on Monday. Dr Basudeb said this will ease the pressure on Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital, which is overrun with patients at present.
"We will start working in this regard from tomorrow [today]," said Dr Monowar Hossain, civil surgeon of Barishal.
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