Construction of Covid-19 hospital to continue

The authorities have decided to continue setting up the dedicated hospital for coronavirus patients in the capital's Tejgaon industrial area which was halted for a day due to protesting locals.

Akij Group and Gonoshasthaya Kendra have jointly taken the initiative to build a 301-beded hospital with modern medical facilities in Tejgaon.

The hospital's construction saw a temporary halt on Saturday when a group of locals staged demonstration against it, saying setting up a hospital for coronavirus patients could cause the virus spread in the locality.

The incident halted the refurbishment works at a building for hours.

Contacted, Ali Hossain Khan, officer-in-charge of Tejgaon Industrial Police Station, said the construction of the proposed hospital was resumed yesterday.

Earlier on Saturday night, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan reportedly said the hospital would be built at the previously fixed place.

Permission is needed to build a hospital and the process will be completed soon, he told a Bangla daily.

Talking to this newspaper, Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury yesterday said, "It cannot be an issue. The hospital will provide treatment for coronavirus [patients]."

The hospital will have 20 intensive care units (ICUs), 30 isolation facilities in line with the World Health Organization standard, and 250 general beds, he said, adding it would have the capacity to examine around 1,000 patients a day.

The hospital would be able to accept patients within two weeks if the government extends its support and will remain open round the clock, Zafrullah added.

Akij Group will provide the estimated budget for the hospital which is about Tk 20 crore, he said.

Locals said the protesters attempted to vandalise the existing building where Akij Group, in association with Gonoshasthaya Kendra, is planning to set up the hospital.

The demonstrators, followers of local ward councillor Shafiullah Shafi, also prevented two trucks carrying beds and other equipment from entering the compound.