An intensive care unit (ICU) ambulance gifted by the India to Bangladesh is lying idle in the Chuadanga Civil Surgeon’s office for the past six months.

The Indian government gifted the ambulance to Chuadanga Sadar Hospital on November 26, 2021, on the occasion of the golden jubilee of Bangladesh’s Independence and also, the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. But, the ambulance hasn’t been used yet due to a shortage of trained medical personnel and necessary equipment.

None of the public or private hospitals in Chuadanga currently has ICU facilities. The same goes for ICU ambulances. The first ICU unit of the district was started by Sajeda Foundation on August 7, 2021, at a new building inside Chuadanga Sadar Hospital on a temporary basis.

Unfortunately, the foundation stopped the operation of the ICU unit as the Covid-19 situation became normal in the district.

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“Sometimes, cardiac patients die on their way to the hospital due to not getting life support facilities that can only be provided by ICU ambulances," said Coordinator of Chuadanga Sadar Hospital Dr Ataur Rahman.

"We’ve already spoken with higher authorities to restart the ICU facility at our hospital. I expect that the currently unused ICU ambulance will start operating once ICU facilities begin at our hospital,” he added.

Chuadanga Civil Surgeon Dr Sajjat Hasan said that the ambulance can’t be operated without trained personnel and necessary equipment. "I’ll take necessary steps to run the ambulance at the earliest,” he said.