Pabna to get hospital for Covid-19 patients

The 250-bed Pabna Community Hospital, an institution run by Dhaka Community Hospital (DCH) Trust, has been designated for treatment of Covid-19 patients and suspects of the highly contagious disease.

The decision has been taken considering the growing need for treatment of Covid-19 patients, said Prof Dr Quazi Qamruzzaman, chairman of DCH Trust.

"A deal was finalised last week for using Pabna Community Hospital for treatment of Covid-19 patients. We have already submitted plan to the Ministry of Health for providing ventilators and other facilities for the purpose," said Pabna Civil Surgeon Dr Mehedi Iqbal.

"It will run under the management of Pabna Medical College Hospital. A five-member committee headed by deputy civil surgeon has been formed for the purpose," he added.

General patients wait for outdoor medical service at the hospital. Photo: Star

"We have already closed the indoor service for general treatment and released the admitted patients. We will close other regular services of the hospital including treatment of outdoor patients and functioning of OT when everything gets ready for treatment of Covid-19 patients," said Dr Taukir Hassan Himel, in charge of Pabna Community Hospital.

The released patients have been referred to government hospitals, he added.

The 250-bed community hospital, established through public-private partnership, stared functioning with advanced technology in June, 2018, in Nurpur bypass area of the district town aiming to provide quality health service with very low cost, especially for poor people.

"When a few other institutions declined to allow their set-up for treatment of Covid-19 patients, the authorities of the community hospital have agreed, bringing hope for the people affected by the highly contagious disease in Pabna and surrounding areas," Pabna Deputy Commissioner Kabir Mahamud told The Daily Star.

A section of the doctors, nurses and other employees of the institution have also agreed to work as part of the team for providing service to the Covid-19 patients, he added.