First field hospital ready to fight the coronavirus
Bangladesh's first field hospital dedicated for Covid-19 patients is set to be inaugurated today in Chattogram's Sitakunda.
Set up at a two-storey building given by Navana Group, the 60-bed hospital in Faujdarhat has 6,500 square feet of space.
A field hospital is a temporary hospital or mobile medical unit that takes care of casualties on-site before they can be safely transported to more permanent facilities.
The site was selected because of its proximity to Bangladesh Institute of Tropical and Infectious Diseases (BITID), the only lab in Chattogram that can test for coronavirus, said Hasan Shahriar Kabir, divisional director of Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Dr Biddut Barua, assistant professor of public health at American International University Bangladesh, in cooperation with Sajedul Islam, vice chairperson of Navana Group, steered the initiative.
"It's our mission to serve people in a time of crisis. Here, they will be treated not only with medical facilities but also with love and care," said Dr Barua.
The hospital has 10 ICU beds while 10 doctors and 10 nurses will be engaged alongside 25 volunteers.
The volunteers have already received training on how to handle patients and protect themselves, said officials.
The divisional director of DGHS said the hospital was set up ahead of time. "It will start functioning with 60 beds primarily. All staff members are working voluntarily."
Sajid Kabir Saji, one of the volunteers, told The Daily Star he applied at the hospital after learning about the initiative.
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