Only two district sadar hospitals have ICU
The report was submitted in response to a writ petition, filed by Md Shah Alam, treasurer at Human Rights Lawyers and Securing Environment Society of Bangladesh, in July of last year
Only two District Sadar Hospitals in the country are equipped with intensive care unit (ICU), while five have coronary care unit (CCU), according to a Directorate of Health report placed before the High Court on Wednesday.
The report was submitted in response to a writ petition, filed by Md Shah Alam, treasurer at Human Rights Lawyers and Securing Environment Society of Bangladesh, in July of last year.
The two sadar hospitals are Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital with 10 ICU and 30 CCU beds and Pabna District Sadar Hospital with 4 ICU and 8 CCU beds.
Besides, Nilphamari Modern Sadar Hospital, Kushtia 250-bed General Hospital, and Bhola Sadar Hospital have 2, 15, and 4 beds in their coronary care units (CCU), respectively, according to the report.
The High Court bench, consisting Justice JBM Hasan and Justice Md Khairul Alam, has fixed October 23 for submitting further details concerning prevailing conditions of ICUs and CCUs in hospitals across the country.
During the hearing, Deputy Attorney General Noor-us-Sadiq represented state, while Advocate Dr Bashir Ahmed stood for the writ petition.
There have not been enough space and manpower for the installation of 30-bed ICU and CCU in each of the district sadar hospitals, according to the report placed by Dr Md Aminul Hasan, director of hospitals and clinics, Directorate of Health. Initiatives have been taken to improve the situation, and equipment will be provided to the District Sadar Hospitals after need and priority assessment, said the report.
Besides, establishing ICU and CCU facilities in medical college hospitals in Kishorganj, Sirazganj, Manikganj, Noakhali, Patuakhli, Jamalpur, Rangamati, Netrokona, Naogaon, Magura, Chandpur, and Habiganj is under process. The internship and other relevant activities of the medical colleges, associated with these hospitals are done in the adjacent district Sadar Hospital, located in adjacent districts, as these medical college hospitals are yet to get complete separate buildings.
Md Shah Alam, treasurer at Human Rights Lawyers and Securing Environment Society of Bangladesh, subsequently filed a writ in July last year.
On July 24, the HC directed the private clinics, hospitals, laboratories, and diagnostic centres of the country to publicly display the price list and fees within 15 days.
The HC, in another directive, asked for information concerning the prevailing condition in ICU and CCU of every public and private hospital and clinics across the country. It also asked for the details concerning the associated costs, required manpower and specialists for establishing ICUs and CCUs in hospitals within and across the country.