Voluntary organization Bidyanondo Foundation is setting up a field hospital in Chottogram by converting a convention centre to a full-fledged facility equipped with central oxygen system, the project’s coordinator said Tuesday.
Jamal Uddin, who is coordinating the project as a volunteer of the foundation, said initially the facility in the port city’s Patenga area will have 100 beds, but there is scope to make it to a 200-bed hospital to treat the COVID-19 patients. The hospital is expected to start its operation in the first week of July, he said.
Jamal said the Bidyanondo Foundation was establishing the facility in partnership with the Chottogram Metropolitan Police in a bid to lessen pressure on the already overwhelmed hospitals.
The foundation will appoint 12 doctors, 18 nurses and 50 volunteers to provide healthcare to the patients, he said.
“We have already procured materials to set up at least 50 beds. Work is going on to establish the central oxygen system, which is very important to treat the critical patients,” he said.
As the number of infections is rising in Chottogram like elsewhere in the country, the Bidyanondo Foundation stepped in to set up the hospital amid reports that may patients have been suffering due to lack of oxygen supply.
The country has reported 94,481 positive cases including 1,262 fatalities until Tuesday. Public health experts say the number of infections and deaths is likely to increase manifold in the coming weeks.
