Save the Children set up the center with support from UK Aid and UNOPS.
The Severe Acute Respiratory Infection Isolation and Treatment Centre (SARI ITC) is located in camp 21, Chakmarkur Union in Teknaf Upazila.
In consultation with the Ministry of Health and Inter Sector Coordination Group (ISCG) in Cox's Bazar, this isolation and treatment centre was constructed in accordance with the guidance of the World Health Organization (WHO).
The centre will start providing health services from July 4.
Save the Children in Bangladesh Country Director Onno van Manen said SARI ITC will offer care for moderate to severe cases of people with suspected and confirmed COVID-19.
“The centre will be staffed by an expert team of 80 health professionals and support staff, including Save the Children’s Emergency Health Unit...the plans for the centre include a dedicated area where pregnant women with COVID-19 can safely deliver their babies and patients can access gender-based-violence support services if needed,” he added.
A press release from Save the Children noted that an additional 1,000 to 1,500 isolation beds in the camps to support COVID-19 patients once the treatment centre is at full capacity.
Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner Mahbub Alam Talukder, Additional Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner Kazi Mohammd Mozammel Hoque, Cox’s Bazar Civil Surgeon Dr Md Mahbubur Rahman, ISCG Senior Coordinator Nicole Epting and WHO Health Sector Coordinator Dr Mukeshkumar Prajapati were present at the virtual inauguration programme.