United News of Bangladesh

For critically ill patients at Rangpur Medical College Hospital, the wait for an intensive care unit (ICU) bed can be a matter of life and death. With millions of people depending on a single major referral hospital and only 10 ICU beds available, the shortage remains a critical challenge for healthcare in northern Bangladesh. For patients in critical condition, however, the consequences of the shortage are measured not in statistics but in hours—and sometimes in lives lost while waiting. The hospital, the largest referral healthcare facility in Rangpur division, serves around 1.80 crore people across eight northern districts. With 2,000-3,000 patients admitted on average at any given time, at least 10 percent are estimated to require ICU support. But the hospital has only 10 ICU beds, leaving many critically ill patients waiting for lifesaving care and, in some cases, dying before a bed becomes available. Hospital sources said they receive requests for ICU admission for at least 15-20 patients every day, against the 10 available beds. Dr Touhid Sarker Dollar, an inspector at the ICU department, said the hospital is unable to accommodate all patients who need intensive care. “We receive many requests for ICU admission every day, but we cannot accommodate everyone. Many patients are deprived of ICU care. The number of beds, manpower and space in the ICU need to be increased to provide adequate services to the huge population of northern Bangladesh,” he said. Waiting for an ICU bed Accounts from relatives of critically ill patients reveal the human cost of the shortage. According to a list of 12 patients waiting for ICU beds at Rangpur Medical College and Hospital, most of them died without receiving ICU care. Relatives of several patients spoke about their experiences. Shafik, a relative of a patient said his mother-in-law Mohsena Begum, a resident of Dhap Satgara in Rangpur city, was admitted to the cardiology department with severe chest pain and later developed complications. Doctors advised immediate ICU admission, but she remained without an ICU bed for three days. “We were told she needed ICU support urgently. We tried repeatedly but could not get a bed. Finally, we admitted her to Prime Medical College Hospital. We had to move her from one hospital to another several times. She died last Wednesday. If she had received ICU support in time, perhaps she could have lived a few more days,” he said. Rahicha Begum, 72, from Kurigram, was initially admitted to Rangpur Community Medical College Hospital after suffering a stroke. Her relatives later shifted her to Rangpur Medical College and Hospital. Arman Ferdous, son of Rahicha, said his mother was discharged while unconscious three days after admission, with the family being told that she did not need ICU support. “After another day, doctors from the nephrology department advised that she be taken to the ICU. But there was no bed available. My mother died,” he said. Another patient, Beauty Begum, 45, from Ramanagurati Para in Chilmari upazila of Kurigram, was admitted to Ward 15 of the hospital in critical condition. Doctors decided to perform emergency surgery on June 2 but said she would need ICU support after the operation. The surgery could not be performed until an ICU bed was secured, according to her relatives. Despite repeated attempts to secure a bed, none became available. Beauty died around noon on June 3. Her relative Nur Alam said they could not afford ICU treatment at a private hospital. “We could have tried to save her if an ICU bed had been available. Private ICU treatment is very expensive. While she was admitted, three ICU beds became vacant, but she was not taken in. It seems those with influential connections get the beds,” said Nur Alam. Mohammad Sobhan, 80, from Bhurungamari upazila in Kurigram, was admitted to the neurosurgery department after sustaining serious injuries in a road accident. Doctors advised emergency ICU admission at around 6:30pm on June 1. But he died at around 3am the following day after waiting more than 24 hours for a bed. His granddaughter Happy Begum said the family had tried repeatedly to secure ICU support. “My grandfather needed ICU treatment. We tried very hard, but there was no bed available. He died because he could not be taken to the ICU in time. How can such a large hospital operate with only 10 ICU beds?” she asked. Mohammad Ripon, son of Khaybar Hossain, 65, from Sadullapur in Gaibandha, said his father was admitted to the cardiology department in critical condition. “Doctors said he needed ICU treatment. We put his name on the waiting list, but my father died before he could be taken to the ICU,” he said. Mohammad Hasan, son of Azharul Islam of Rangpur Sadar upazila, said his father had been suffering from kidney problems, asthma and breathing difficulties. “Doctors repeatedly advised ICU admission. After waiting for two days without getting a bed, his condition deteriorated and we were forced to take him home. Perhaps he could have lived longer if we had managed to get him admitted to the ICU,” he said. Mohammad Zainul, son of 70-year-old Abdul Halim of Chirirbandar in Dinajpur, said his family secured an ICU bed five days after putting his father's name on the waiting list. “You need money or influence to get things done here. Such a large hospital has only 10 ICU beds. I saw several patients die after failing to get ICU support,” he said. Private care beyond reach The shortage at the public hospital is compounded by the high cost of private ICU treatment. Relatives of patients said ICU services are available at Rangpur Community Medical College Hospital, Prime Medical College Hospital and Good Health Hospital. But treatment costs between Tk 20,000 and Tk 35,000 a day, making private care unaffordable for many families. Md Merajul Mohsin, additional director of Rangpur Community Medical College and Hospital, said the facility has a 12-bed ICU.   “Many patients receive treatment in our ICU. Depending on the patient's condition, the daily cost ranges from Tk 20,000 to Tk 35,000. We provide advanced ICU services compared with other hospitals,” he said. As a result, many poor patients are caught between an overcrowded public ICU and private facilities they cannot afford. Authorities cite space, manpower constraints Hospital authorities said the shortage is not simply a matter of adding beds, as the existing ICU department also lacks sufficient space for expansion. Dr Touhid Sarker Dollar said the hospital currently has 2,000-3,000 inpatients and around 10 percent require ICU care. “Every day we receive many ICU requests. We record the patients' names and contact numbers. Whenever a bed becomes vacant, we call the next patient according to the waiting list,” he said. Rejecting allegations that beds are allocated through money or influence, he said there was no scope for such practices in the admission process. Dr Md Wazed Ali, deputy director of the Rangpur Health Division, said the 10 ICU beds at the Rangpur Medical College and Hospital are part of a full-fledged ICU unit, but there is no additional space available for expansion.  “If there were space, we could shift the ICU beds of the children's hospital there,” he said. He said a few ICU beds are available at private hospitals including Prime, Doctors and Good Health in Rangpur, while Dinajpur Medical College Hospital has three ICU beds, though the service is not operating fully. “For such a large division, the existing ICU capacity is inadequate. Discussions are underway. The government's plan is to establish 10-bed ICUs in every district. If 10-bed ICUs are established in all districts, the pressure on Rangpur Medical College Hospital will be reduced,” Wazed Ali said.  He described Rangpur Medical College Hospital as the main healthcare centre for the region and said efforts were underway to address the shortage.  “The government has increased the allocation for the health sector. Activities under the new allocation are expected to begin from this fiscal year,” he added.

Kashem Khan, 17, one of the victims who suffered serious injuries during attacks on the house of former Liberation War Affairs AKM Mozammel Haque in Gazipur, has died while undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH). Md Faruk, in-charge of Dhaka Medical College Hospital police outpost, said Kashem breathed his last at 3pm while receiving treatment at the intensive care unit of the hospital on Wednesday. The body of Kashem, son of late Jamal Hajji of Board Bazar area under Gazipur metropolitan, has been kept at the hospital morgue. Another 48 arrested in Gazipur on 4th day of 'Operation Devil Hunt.' At least 14 people, all belonging to the mobs out to vandalise and destroy any and all signs of the Awami League, were injured as they came under attack in Gazipur city's Dakshinkhan area on Friday night, as Awami League cadres ambushed their attempt to vandalise the residence of former liberation war affairs minister. They were rushed to Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College Hospital and from where seven of them were shifted to the DMCH as their condition was stated to be critical. Of them, Kashem passed away today.

Popular filmmaker Mostafa Sarwar Farooki was hospitalised after he felt unwell on Monday (January 22, 2024) evening. His hospitalisation was confirmed by his wife, actress Nusrat Imrose Tisha. Tisha wrote on her verified Facebook page at 1 am on Tuesday, “Mostafa has been feeling unwell since last evening. After taking him to the hospital, it was informed that he suffered a mild stroke.” “He is now being observed at the Neuro ICU. Please keep Mostafa Sarwar Farooki in your prayers,” Tisha wrote. According to sources, the director is at a private hospital in Dhaka’s Panthapath. He is currently being closely monitored by doctors but is now out of danger. Fans and admirers, including many celebrities, have commented on and shared the post while asking for prayers for the acclaimed director. Read more: Farooki’s ‘Shonibar Bikel’ to be released on Indian OTT platform Sony LIV Known for breaking stereotypical storytelling and popularising colloquial language in TV fiction, Farooki is widely acclaimed for his television series ‘51 Borti’, ‘69’, ‘420’, ‘Choruivati’, ‘Carrom’ and more. After becoming successful in television, Farooki debuted as a filmmaker with ‘Bachelor’ (2004), featuring an ensemble cast of Ferdous Ahmed, Humayun Faridi, Shabnoor, Aupee Karim, Jaya Ahsan, Marzuk Russell and others. After that, he continued his journey as a filmmaker with ‘Made in Bangladesh’, ‘Third Person Singular Number’, ‘Ant Story’ (Piprabiddya), ‘Television’, ‘Doob: No Bed of Roses’ and his most talked-about film ‘Saturday Afternoon (Shonibar Bikel), which is yet to have a proper theatrical release in Bangladesh. With ‘Ladies & Gentleman’ (2021), Farooki debuted in OTT. He debuted as an actor in the Chorki’s film under the ‘Ministry of Love’ project, titled 'Something Like An Autobiography' alongside Tisha. Read more: Something Like An Autobiography: Real Story or Just a Film?

Medicare services of ICU and HDU units at Chuadanga sadar hospital remain suspended for around nine months due to lack of manpower causing a grave concern in the district as the fourth wave of the Covid-19 has already started in the country. Residents of the district have urged the concerned authorities to take necessary measures to open the life-saving units further taking into account the prevailing situation.  Sources said one ‘Sajeda Foundation’ inked a deal with the hospital authority on March 21 last year that they would treat ICU and HDU patients with their own manpower and necessary equipment including ventilator for a period of two months.    As per the deal, the foundation set up 6 ICU beds, 8 HDU beds, two ventilators and other equipment on the third floor of the hospital’s new building later. A team of 44 members of the foundation including 10 physicians, 14 ICU staff nurses, 7 ward boys, one each lab technologist and  X-ray technologist and others started treating patients especially for Covid-19 from July 26 last year. Though local lawmaker and heroic freedom fighter Solaiman Haque Joarder formally inaugurated the units on August 07 last year, the foundation engaged itself in serving patients much earlier.  The hospital authority said providing the ICU and HDU services to patients with the equipment have been halt for shortage of manpower for last nine months as the foundation left the hospital with their manpower after end of the tenure of the deal. Read: Baby snake killed after bit by 16 months old in Chuadanga Aminu Islam and Abdul Kader, treatment seekers who came at the hospital told this correspondent that they were very happy to learn about launch of the ICU and HDU units at the hospital last year as there was no ICU bed at any government and private hospitals in the district. Expressing grave concern over the closure of the two units after two months of launching, they have urged the prime minister to open the life-saving units soon permanently. Dr Nafiz Ullah, who performed duty as residential physician at the ICU unit during the tenure, told the UNB that the foundation provided patients with the ICU and HDU services with its own manpower and instruments for the two months as per the deal during the Covid pandemic in Chuadanga.  After the expire of tenure of the contract, the foundation donated the instrument of the units to the hospital authority and all manpower left, he said adding that they in a survey found activities of the units remain suspended owing to shortage of manpower.   The equipment including the expensive ventilators will go out of order if these lay idly for long, he said. Dr Ataur Rahman, Caretaker of Chuadanga sadar hospital, told this correspondent that he was not attached to the hospital when the foundation treated patients and donated the equipment. He said the units remain closed due to shortage of skilled manpower and other factors. We sent a letter to health ministry to take necessary measures to run the units further considering the current situation, Dr Ataur added. 

Popular lyricist and astrologer Kausar Ahmed Chowdhury who is currently undergoing treatment at Dhanmondi Clinic, Green Road in the capital, has been shifted in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) as his condition deteriorated. The 75-year old celebrity astrologer is battling with multiple health complications and B(+) Positive blood is urgently required for his treatment, according to a Facebook post shared by popular singer-composer Bappa Mazumder on Friday afternoon. Kausar has been suffering from multiple health problems for a long  time, including kidney problems coupled with blood infection. Besides, he has suffered two strokes. Read:Lata Mangeshkar: India's Legendary Singing Diva As a celebrated astrologer, Kausar Ahmed Chowdhury has been a household name for years because of his Prothom Alo horoscope readings. He has written several famous song lyrics for well-known singers and bands such as LRB, Miles, Samina Chowdhury, Lucky Akhand, Niaz Mohammad Chowdhury, and many more. "Kobita Porar Prohor," "Jekhaney Shimanto Tomar," "Rupali Guitar," "Aaj Ei Brishtir Kanna Dekhe" are some of his most popular songs.

Legendary Indian playback singer Lata Mangeshkar has been hospitalised in the western city of Mumbai after testing positive for Covid-19. The 92-year-old 'Queen of Melody' was rushed to the intensive care unit (ICU) of the premier Breach Candy Hospital after her RT-PCR test result came positive, her niece Rachana told the local media on Tuesday. "She is mild Covid positive. Considering her age, doctors advised us that she should be in the ICU because she requires constant care. She will be fine. But it's going to take a while because of her age," Rachana said. Also read: Sohel Rana shifted from ICU to cabin Considered one of the leading and most respected playback singers in India, Lata has recorded songs in over a thousand Hindi films and has sung songs in over 35 Indian languages and foreign languages. In fact, she began her singing career at the age of 13, after her father's demise in 1942. Seven years later, Lata hogged limelight for her first major hit song 'Aayega Aanewaala' in a Bollywood movie. Also read: Sourav Ganguly's daughter contracts Covid From 1960s to 2000s, she dominated Bollywood. In 1974, Lata became the first Indian singer to perform at Royal Albert Hall in the British capital. In 1989, Lata was given Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India's highest recognition in the field of cinema. In 2001, Bharat Ratna, the country's highest civilian award, was bestowed on her by the Indian government.

Renowned actor, director and producer Sohel Rana has been shifted to a cabin from the intensive care unit of the Evercare Hospital in the capital as his health condition has improved, his son said. "We have spent the last few days under stress. A life-saving jab was much needed for my father which was fortunately found in time. Now he has been shifted to the cabin from the hospital ICU," his son Mashrur Parvez told UNB. READ: Sohel Rana’s condition deteriorates Sohel Rana was admitted to the city hospital on December 25 in a critical condition. Later he tested positive for Covid-19 and he was admitted to the ICU, when his condition worsened. READ: Actor Sohel Rana shifted to ICU

Brazilian soccer great Pelé “took a little step back” in his recovery from surgery to remove a tumor from his colon but he is “recovering well” at a Sao Paulo hospital, his daughter Kely Nascimento said Friday. However, the Albert Einstein hospital said the 80-year-old Edson Arantes do Nascimento had returned to intensive care after “a brief breathing instability” Thursday night. Pelé was currently stable in “semi-intensive” care, the hospital said, and he “continues recovering.” It did not give further details. Kely Nascimento posted a picture Friday with her father on Instagram which she said she had just taken in his room at the Albert Einstein hospital. READ: Pele congratulates Messi for equalling goal record “He is recovering well and within normal range. Promise!” Kely Nascimento said. “The normal recovery scenario for a man of his age after an operation like this is sometimes two steps forward and one step back. Yesterday he was tired and took a little step back.” “Today he took two forwards!” she added, without giving more details. The hospital had not previously issued a new statement on Pelé’s health since Tuesday, when he was removed from intensive care. Later Pelé confirmed on social media that he is feeling well and that he had been visited by family members during the day. “I continue to smile every day. Thank you for all the love I get from you,” Pelé said. The tumor was found when Pelé went for routine exams at the end of August. His surgery took place on Sept. 4. READ: Bangabandhu Centenary: Pele’s visit now pushed to ‘late February’ Pelé won the 1958, 1962 and 1970 World Cups, and remains Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 77 goals in 92 matches.

Even if you have the money, there is no guarantee that you will be able to get admitted to a hospital for Covid-19 treatment right away as hospitals are overwhelmed and extremely unequipped, says Rafiqul Islam, a resident of Dakkhin Surma upazila of Sylhet. “My father tested positive five days back and is struggling for breath. He needs an ICU bed but all beds are occupied everywhere. We had been to Osmani Medical College Hospital and then to two private hospitals but there was no ICU bed to get him admitted," Rafiqul, a working man in his late 40s, told the UNB correspondent in front of North East Medical College Hospital.   “Even the wait at every hospital and every desk was frustrating. We were frequently advised to have patience as they were having a very difficult time. Our medical system has  collapsed!” says Rafique.   There is nothing unique in Rafiqul Islam’s case. It is now a common scenario in Sylhet as the number of cases has skyrocketed here in recent weeks as elsewhere in the country. Relatives of Covid-infected patients are running from one hospital to another to have an ICU bed for them.    READ: Sylhet division reports highest single-day Covid cases of 802 Every day the relatives are having the names of patients listed with the hospitals here in an effort to get an ICU bed once it becomes available.

Ten coronavirus patients died at the Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) since Monday morning. Deputy Director of RMCH Dr Saiful Ferdous said four of the patients died in ICU, three in Ward-16, two in Ward-22 and one in Ward-29. “Most of them are from Chapainawabganj,” the doctor said. Dr Ferdous said the number of infections in some parts of Rajshahi and Chapainawabganj increased at an alarming rate. The hospital is struggling to accommodate the rising number of patients. Currently, 168 Covid patients are being treated at RMCH. Read: BAF chopper medevacs RMCH doctor to Dhaka Strict lockdown in Chapainawabganj The district administration put northwestern Chapainawabganj under a strict seven-day lockdown after a surge in Covid-19 cases. The measure came after the district, which shares border with West Bengal, reported an alarming 55 percent positivity rate out of tested samples, Deputy Commissioner Monjurul Hafeez told the media Monday. He described the situation as “severe” and suspected that the Indian variant might be responsible for the surge. “The Indian variant may have spread in the district despite ensuring a 14-day institutional quarantine for all India returnees.” Meanwhile, the government is easing the countrywide lockdown. Restrictions on public transportations have been lifted since Monday. Launches, trains, and inter-district buses have also started operating.