Health Minister
No alternative to increasing hospital capacity: Health Minister
Health Minister Zahid Maleque has said that there is no alternative to increasing the capacities of hospitals to tackle the surge in Covid-19 cases.
“There’s no alternative to increasing the number of hospital beds as Covid cases are increasing day by day. That’s why the government is increasing the number of beds at all covid-dedicated hospitals,” he said while inaugurating 10 ICU beds at Dhaka Medical College Hospital at an online event.
He said the number of covid-designated hospitals are also being increased.
Also read: Covid-19: Bangladesh records highest-ever daily cases, 59 deaths
Minister Maleque said that a market of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has been turned into a Covid-dedicated hospital with 1,250-bed capacity.
“There are 50 ICU beds and 200 SDO beds,” he said. “It also has 1,000 isolation beds.”
Maleque said the number of covid beds is being increased at government hospitals in the capital.
Also read: Avoid public gatherings, wear masks to fight Covid surge, PM urges all
In this regard, the minister said that 10 more ICU beds have been added to Dhaka Medical College Hospital today.
Covid-19 Second Wave: Maleque seeks further steps against transmission
Health Minister Zahid Maleque has said that Dhaka North City Corporation kitchen market in Mohakhali will be turned into a makeshift hospital dedicated for novel coronavirus patients.
“It will have around 50 ICU beds and above 1000 Covid patients can be tretated at the hospital,” said the minister.
Moreover, three specialized public hospitals -National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases and National Institute of Kidney Diseases and Urology, will also open units dedicated for coronavirus patients with 100 beds each.
Also read: Bangladesh reports record number of 5,358 new daily Covid cases; 52 deaths
He came up with this information while talking to the reporters at a a meeting with the owners of private hospitals this evening.
Zahid Maleque reaffirmed that the ministry is doing everything in its power to curb the ‘dramatic’ rise in Covid-19 cases.
“Additional 2500 bed will be increased in the hospitals of the capital to treat Covid-19 patients within a very short time. Moreover, central oxygen line has been provided to 90 hospitals,” he said.
Also read: Don’t be panicked about possible second wave of Covid-19: Minister
The minister also urged people to consider Covid hospitals adjacent to Dhaka city to reduce pressure on the capitals’ hospitals.
“There are similar medical facilities in Gazipur, Manikganj and some other districts around Dhaka. Patients can be admitted to those hospitals,” he said.
The minister said that if the authorities fail to do anything about the source of the massive spread of Covid-19 cases, then it would be impossible to bring the situation under control even if they turn the entire Dhaka city into hospitals.
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“People are visiting tourist destinations, attending weddings and social events without maintaining any health guidelnes. If this continues, then it will not be possible to curb the spread of Covid-19.”
The minister said the steps taken by the health authorities were effective in restricting Covid-19 in Bangladesh which resulted in lower cases in February. But people became lethargic afterwards, which was the main reason for increase in coronavirus cases.
The minister expressed his concern by saying if the situation goes beond the authorities control, then it would be very difficult to bring life back to normal.
Proposed partial lockdown in areas with high Covid-19 cases: Health Minister
The Health Ministry has proposed partial lockdowns for some places with higher Coronavirus transmission rates, Health Minister Zahid Maleque said Monday.
“Our daily infection rate was only 2 percent in February which has now shot up to 13 percent as the number of fatalities and infection rises daily,” he said at a virtual event of the National Institute of Cardiovascular Disease and Hospital.
Also read:3,000 more hospital beds to be ready for Covid patients: Minister
Coronavirus infection rate jumped to 18.38 percent on Monday from 17.65 percent on Sunday.
In the afternoon, the health authorities announced the country’s highest-ever daily cases (5,181) as the caseload rose to 600,895. Bangladesh also reported 45 deaths, raising the national tally to 8,949, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) said in a handout.
“Bangladesh’s economy might face dire consequences if we fail to control the origin of Covid-19 and contain it,” the minister warned.
The Health Ministry has submitted some proposals to the government considering all these issues, Maleque said.
Partial lockdown, closure of amusement centres, picnic, religious gatherings, limiting wedding ceremonies, strengthening quarantine system, limiting passengers in public transports, and limiting attendance in offices are some of the recommendations.
The ministry also proposed ensuring ‘no mask no service’ policy, increasing numbers of mobile courts and imposing fines on health guideline violators.
Also read:Covid-19 situation under control in Bangladesh: Health Minister
“A detailed decision on the matter can hopefully be taken within several days,” the minister said.
‘No lockdown at the moment’
The country launched a countrywide vaccination drive on Feb 7. As the daily infection rate kept rising, the government extended the closure of school and colleges until May 23.
3,000 more hospital beds to be ready for Covid patients: Minister
Three thousand more beds will be added to hospitals across the country in the wake of sharp rise in coronavirus cases, said Health Minister Zahid Maleque on Wednesday.
The minister revealed this while responding to questions from reporters following a meeting on MBBS admission test at his ministry's conference room.
Also read: Remain alert as Covid-19 infection rising: Health Minister
“The number of Covid patients need to be reduced fast. If the current rate of virus infection continues, it won’t be possible to tackle the situation with the existing arrangements,” he said.
"We’ve turned some non-Covid hospitals into Corona dedicated hospitals. We’ve also issued instructions to increase beds at Lalkuthi Hospital, Mohanagar Hospital, Government Employees Hospital and Kurmitola Hospital," the minister said.
Outside Dhaka, the concerned authorities in Tongi, Gazipur and Tangail have also been asked to take necessary measures, he said, adding, “If we can do these, we’ll be able to create 3000 new beds.”
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The government has not yet taken any decision to enforce lockdown again in the country for curbing the transmission of Coronavirus, Health Minister Zahid Maleque said on Thursday.
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