Ukhia Covid-19 hospital inaugurated

A 150-bed Isolation Centre and Specialised Hospital has been inaugurated to provide treatment to Covid-19 positive locals and Rohingyas in Ukhia and Teknaf.

Initiated by UNHCR, Brac, and Relief International, the hospital was inaugurated by Cox's Bazar deputy commissioner Md Kamal Hossain on Thursday.

The novel coronavirus is spreading in Cox's Bazar, even in Rohingya camps, with 10 new infections among Rohingyas in the last five days. So far, nine people in Teknaf and 32 in Ukhia have tested positive.

"The 150-bed hospital will provide treatment to locals and Rohingyas who have tested Covid-19 positive," said Kamal Hossain.

He also urged people to be more aware of the virus to protect themselves from it.

The construction of the hospital, which is situated on three acres of land at the south of Ukhia Degree College near the Cox's Bazar-Teknaf road, kicked off on March 30. 

Sources at the hospital said the 150-bed hospital will have a capacity to handle 200 patients. A 150-member team from Cox's Bazar reached the hospital on May 19. They were handed over the hospital on May 20. At present, they are working on the trial. 

Every day, a team of 50 doctors, nurses, technicians, midwives, cleaners, peons, and other staff will work in the hospital in three shifts. 

A total of 165 health workers (150 doctors and 15 others) have been accommodated in Inani Hotel.  Two buses and two latest model microbuses have been provided for their transportation. 

The hospital also has three ambulances. Two of them will be used to carry intra-district patients and the other one will be used to move a patient to Chattogram or Dhaka. 

Ukhia upazila nirbahi officer Nikaruzzaman said, "The 150-bed hospital is for Rohingyas and locals. Another 1,900-bed Covid-19 isolation hospital will be established for 11 lakh Rohingyas in the camp. 800 beds have been completed so far and the rest of the construction will be completed by June 10.

Only patients who test Covid-19 positive on May 21 or later will be admitted to the hospital. The hospital will help reduce some pressure from two dedicated Covid-19 hospitals in Ramu and Chakaria, he added.

Mahbub Alam Talukder, Refugee, Relief and Repatriation officer at Cox's Bazar, said, "This is the first complete Covid-19 hospital in Cox's Bazar. UNHCR will bear the entire cost including the salary of doctors, nurses, midwives, ambulance fare, food and other expenses."

UNHCR head of operation Inaku Tuki, Cox's Bazar civil surgeon Dr Md Mahbubur Rahman, representatives from WHO, RRRC, Bangladesh Army, Relief International, officer-in-charge of Ukhia Police Station Marzina Akhter Morju, Ukhia upazila health and family planning office Dr Ranjan Barua Rajon, and others concerned were present during the inauguration.