Surge in Covid Cases: Sylhet runs out of ICU beds
On June 20, Rafique Miah, an elderly resident of Sunamganj's Jagannathpur upazila, tested positive for Covid-19. He was treated at a private hospital's intensive care unit (ICU) for three days till his condition improved, and then he returned home.
But his condition deteriorated again. On Thursday, he was rushed to Sylhet Shahid Shamsuddin Ahmed Hospital. However, this time the elderly patient is having to make do with a general bed, as there is no ICU-bed vacant at the hospital.
Rafique's situation shows the dire state of Sylhet division's healthcare system right now. With the surge of patients in the past weeks, there is no ICU-bed available at any public or private hospital in Sylhet.
Sylhet is now becoming another hotspot for Covid-19, as the high infection rate and patients' influx at hospitals indicate.
In 24 hours till yesterday morning, a record 442 new cases were detected in the division, and the infection rate was 43.12 percent, according to the divisional health office in Sylhet.
Meanwhile, 551 patients are currently admitted to different hospitals in the division. Among them, 486 are in Sylhet district alone.
"Patients overwhelmed our facilities for the last couple of days. Around 50 percent of patients are from other districts in the division, as there are no dedicated facilities there," said Dr Md Mizanur Rahman, resident medical officer (RMO) of the Covid-19-dedicated Shamsuddin hospital.
Yesterday morning, 486 patients were admitted at different hospitals in Sylhet district. The number was 450, 444 and 426 in previous days.
The average number of daily admitted patients was 344 in the previous week till July 5, while it was 280, 216, and 212 respectively in weeks before that.
Moreover, the death toll is shooting up, as 32 patients died of Covid-19 since July 1 till Friday.
At government facilities in Sylhet city and surrounding regions, there are 324 general beds for Covid-19 patients, but only 24 ICU beds.
There are 80 general beds at Shamsuddin hospital, while MAG Osmani hospital has 182, and Khadimpara Hospital and Dakshin Surma Hospital have 31 each.
MAG Osmani hospital is now planning to add 70 more general beds by dedicating another ward for Covid-19 patients, said Dr Himangshu Lal Roy, deputy director of the hospital.
Of the 24 ICU beds, eight are at MAG Osmani hospital and 16 at Shamsuddin hospital.
But there is no possibility for increasing ICU beds in these public facilities immediately, said authorities.
RMO Dr Mizanur said, "The demand for oxygen per patient is way greater than it was last year. The 10,000-litre oxygen plant is already at full capacity, with 100 patients being admitted today [Friday]. Admitting more patients and putting more pressure on the plant might cause serious damage."
Dr Himangshu said, "We are the last hope for patients, and we are now struggling to provide healthcare to all of them. But we are still planning to expand our support with new ICU beds."
"We have enough supply for oxygen at our plant, but we seriously need better equipment. If we get enough high-flow nasal cannula… ventilators, we will be able to facilitate more patients," he said.
Meanwhile, private facilities are also providing healthcare services for Covid-19 patients. There are 241 general beds and 56 ICU beds at the seven facilities, which are also occupied by patients.
While talking to authorities of the hospitals, this correspondent found that they are being forced to decline services to patients on a regular basis.
Dr Naseem Ahmed, president of Sylhet Private Hospital Owners' Association, said, "Besides public hospitals, we are also expanding our services for Covid-19 patients, but the situation is getting out of hand."
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