IOM opens new Covid-19 isolation and treatment centers in Cox's Bazar

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in collaboration with the office of the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner have inaugurated two new Covid-19 isolation and treatment centres at Teknaf and Ukhia upazilas in Cox's Bazar. 

Of the two new specialised Covid-19 healthcare facilities, a 47-bed Severe Acute Respiratory Infection Isolation and Treatment Center (SARI ITC) is currently available, and capacity will increase to a total of 110 beds as facilities ramp up operations in July, says a IMO press release. 

The two centers contribute to IOM's comprehensive humanitarian effort in the district and will soon be complemented by a 120-bed SARI ITC in Camp-20E inside the Kutupalong camp.

"The opening of 47 SARI ITC beds is only a small visible part of the larger planned effort for the 250-bed capacity SARI ITC, planned by the Bangladesh government and the health sector. IOM is contributing in other ways including contact tracing, home-based care referral and risk communication in the community. We believe that together we can try to contain the virus, reduce suffering and prevent loss of life among the communities that we serve," said Dr Samir Howlader, works for IOM Emergency Health Programme in Cox's Bazar.

IOM's Migrant Health Division (MHD) has also upgraded two existing primary health care facilities in Cox's Bazar to do sentinel testing and temporarily isolate suspected patients to organise further referrals. 

In addition, IOM continues to coordinate with the Directorate General of Health Services, Civil Surgeon Office and the World Bank to support government isolation centres at Chakaria and Ramu upazilas in Cox's Bazar.

Some 47 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in the Rohingya settlements as of June 27.