Govt to Open ICCB COVID-19 Hospital This Month: Health Secretary

The country's largest coronavirus hospital (COVID-19) is scheduled to open this month, Health Secretary Md Asadul Islam said this and also shared his satisfaction with the infrastructure facilities after a visit to the site on Tuesday.

The Government Health Engineering Department and Bashundhara Group jointly developed the infrastructure as the company conglomerate stepped ahead to turn its commercial center into a temporary hospital due to a coronal outbreak in the region.

Health Secretary Asadul Islam talked to the media today about the growth and success of the hospital in the Bashundhara City International Convention (ICCB) in the region.

The event was attended by Chief Engineer General Mohammad Osman Sarwar, Daily Sun Editor Enamul Hoque Chowdhury, HED Additional Chief Engineer Abdul Hamid and Executive Engineer Mashdul Warning, among others.

The hospital has some facilities including food catering for patients and medical staff and wide parking space, the official claimed.

Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan submitted a formal request to Prime Minister Sheik Hasina to build an ICCB temporary hospital in the Kuril Bishwa Road section of the capital for the care of coronavirus-infected patients.

Bashundhara Group Managing Director Sayem Sobhan Anvir formally placed the proposal to Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary Dr. Ahmed Kaikaus at the PMO. The premier accepted the proposal instantly. Besides, Sayem Sobhan Anvir also donated Tk 100 million to the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund.

Expressing gratitude to Bashundhara Group, Health Secretary Asadul Islam said the hospital enables the government to provide treatments to many patients in the emergency situation of the country.

“The Health Engineering Department has been working relentlessly to complete the tasks within minimum time. Our preparation is almost finished. All medical equipment, including oxygen facilities, have been installed here. We are hopeful to open the hospital at the end of this month. And it would be a great place for isolation and treatment of corona patients," he said.

With respect to the welfare of medical personnel, the Health Secretary has confirmed that a measure has been made to ensure the protection of doctors, nurses and other medical workers. Health Technologies Team has developed the Hospital Entry Policy, the Patient Quarantine Instructions as well.

Asadul Islam said the authorities concerned have taken maximum measures to keep the doctors and medical staff safe and out of infection of the contagious disease.

"We have emphasized on roaster based duty. Besides, first aid facilities and specialized physicians will be available to provide instant treatment to any doctors and nurses," he said.

The Health Secretary told that the hospital enrollment of COVID-19 patients depends on the pattern of coronary cases in the days to come.

Health Engineering Department Chief Engineer Brigadier General Mohammad Osman Sarwar said about 90 per cent of the work has been done and the final activities are now underway.

Officials informed that the ICCB will be used as a hospital for the time being. The convention center will be returned to its previous status for holding trade fair and other events after the corona is over.

The Health Engineering Department (HED) of the government-supervised the construction work of the noble initiative undertaken by Bashundhara Group, the leading business conglomerate in the country.

Officials of HED and Bashundhara Group have been working relentlessly for the last couple of weeks to expedite the hospital works.

ICCB Chief Executive Jasim Uddin informed that there will be 2,084 beds for corona patients, including 71 Intensive Care Units (ICU) and the number will be increased if needed.

Bashundhara Group has designated its trade center with 150 thousand square feet and four convention centers with 90 thousand square feet for the noble cause of treating people infected with the deadly virus which has seriously affected Bangladesh like other parts of the world.

Meanwhile, the noble initiative of the Bashundhara Group to convert its trade center and convention center into a makeshift hospital has already been acclaimed at home and abroad.

Diplomats of numerous international missions and agencies of the United Nations (UN) in Dhaka have been quite appreciative of the initiative of the Bashundhara Community. They said the country's biggest hospital will make a major difference to the care of coronavirus patients.

In fact, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) newspaper 'Khaleej Times' celebrated the admirable effort of the Bashundhara Group.