Cumilla’s wait for ICU doesn’t end

Government hospitlas in Cumilla, a district of six million people, lack Intensive Care Units (ICUs), something the residents say is of utter importance at a time when the country is grappling to contain the coronavirus outbreak, reports UNB.

There are 10 beds for ICU patients at Comilla Medical College Hospital (CMCH) but it has not been possible to run the unit without a gas analyser machine that will cost Tk 10 lakh, hospital sources said.

Deputy Commissioner of Cumilla AKM Bahauddin has informed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of the situation during a videoconference.

Doctors and nurses at the CMCH said it was only logical to start ICU services at the hospital for critical patients as coronavirus cases are on the rise in the country.

According to sources at the hospital, the CMCH was established in 1992 with 250 beds. The number of beds has doubled now.

A good number of patients from Brahmanbaria, Chandpur, Feni, Laxmipur and Noakhali come for treatment at the hospital. But there is no ICU for serious patients.

Although there are some ICU services at different private hospitals in the district, those are very expensive for the general people, the sources said.

Badrul Huda, president of Cumilla Nagorik Committee, said the hospital administration is now much more cordial than before but they face shortage of equipment.

“It’s very important to start ICU service at the hospital,” he said.

Dr Muzibur Rahman of the CMCH said they cannot run the ICU service without necessary medical equipment.

They have informed the authorities concerned. “We’ll be able to start the ICU unit as soon as we receive the necessary equipment,” he said.