A Sylhet hospital fully prepared to fight Covid-19
The great example set by them should be followed by others
At a time when most of our government and private hospitals are struggling to get personal protective equipment (PPE) for their doctors, nurses and medical staff and sufficient resources for the infected Covid-19 patients, it is so encouraging to learn that North East Medical College Hospital in Chandipul of Sylhet is all prepared to provide treatment to those in need. The hospital arranged PPE for all its staff members, set up observation beds and isolation units for patients, prepared ICU and post-ICU units, and even managed BiPAP machines (a device that helps with breathing) and ventilators—the most important tools for treating coronavirus patients.
According to the managing director of the hospital, they had started taking preparation to fight coronavirus when the virus started spreading from Wuhan earlier this year. Thus, when medical professionals at different hospitals are worried for their safety while tending to patients, with foresight and planning, the hospital authorities have prepared the institution to fight the Covid-19 outbreak and serve people without any fear.
Had other government and private hospitals been prepared the same way, we would not have to worry so much now. However, they still have some time to prepare. So, we suggest, without wasting any more time, they should now get ready to handle the crisis that is unfolding in the country, following the example set by the Sylhet hospital.
Needless to say, the majority of our hospitals cannot do it without the government's assistance. So, the government should act fast to provide the hospitals with logistical support. Most importantly, the government must make some policy decisions regarding the Covid-19 testing—whether the IEDCR alone will test the suspected cases or others will join them, and whether only some specific hospitals will provide treatment to the coronavirus patients. As the managing director of the Sylhet hospital has suggested, the government should also ask all retired and expert doctors to come forward as the country needs their service. During these challenging times, the government should act wisely and keep people's wellbeing in mind over everything else.