Sylhet hospitals not equipped enough to treat Covid-19

The hospitals in Sylhet division, both at the government and private levels, have not yet developed the full capacity to treat Covid-19 although the cases of infection of the disease still continues to show an upward trend.

Nor there has been seen any development in management of the pandemic at the government level as yet, said sources.

Till date, the number of Covid-19 patients stood at 3,444 in Sylhet division including highest 1,877 in Sylhet, 823 in Sunamganj, 412 in Habiganj and 332 in Moulvibazar district, said an official source.

Shahid Shamsuddin Ahmed Hospital is the only medical centre to provide full-fledged Covid-19 treatment in the divisional city. The hospital is almost cramped with admitted patents.

In addition to 14 beds in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), it has 80 general beds in its wards and cabins.

Dr Sushanto Kumar Mohapatro, resident medical officer of the hospital, said, "At present no more patients can be accommodated as all the beds have been filled. Out of 14 ICU beds, 13 are already occupied while 78 patients are taking treatment from the general beds."

Ninety-one patients are now admitted at the 100-bed hospital. Of them, 79 are Covid-19 affected and the rest are patients with symptoms of the disease.

Meanwhile, the authorities have decided to arrange isolation facilities in two more government hospitals.

Contacted, Divisional Director of Health, Sylhet Dr Sultana Razia told this correspondent that treatment facilities would be extended further in such type of hospitals to tackle the Covid-19 situation.

Some affluent people have come out with support for such medicare facilities in the present situation, she added.

Lying unused since after completion of construction two years ago, the 31-bed Khadimnagar Hospital alongwith the 50-bed Dakshin Surma Hospital is being prepared with private sector assistance.

With financial support from some expatriates, Sylhet Kidney Foundation supplied some equipment days ago while oxygen systems would be set up in a week in the two hospitals, said the foundation's Treasurer Zubair Ahmed Chowdhury.

They would also provide some supporting staff for the hospitals.

But none of these has ICU or ventilation facilities although there is a high demand for these.

[email protected]