Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid Maleque has asked Bangladesh Private Medical College Association (BPMCA) to increase the number of dedicated Covid-19 beds by 20% as part of efforts to fight the second wave of coronavirus.
The minister made the call during a discussion on the second wave of Covid-19 in Bangladesh and the current status of its vaccine, held in Dhaka on Sunday.
Describing management of the country’s healthcare system as critically important at the moment, Maleque said: “We are passing a difficult time as we have to ensure treatment for dengue, Covid-19 and non-Covid-19 patients simultaneously.”
Quoting the keynote paper presented by BPMCA President MA Mubin Khan at the event, the health minister said: “The member hospitals of BPMCA have some 10,000 beds for treatment across the country. Of those, 1,000 to 1,200 beds are for coronavirus patients. This means only 10% or little more than 10% of the total bed capacity has been used for Covid-19 patients.
“Increase the number of dedicated Covid-19 beds by 20%,” the minister added.
He also said: “According to the keynote presented by the BPMCA president, there are only 200 ICUs for treating Covid-19 infected people. Increase it to 400. You have the capacity to do that.”
BPMCA President MA Mubin Khan, while presenting the keynote paper, demanded tax rebates for importing medical equipment.
He also urged the government to allow private hospitals to provide Covid-19 vaccines, when available.
In response, Health Minister Maleque said the issuing of tax rebates is not under his jurisdiction, but he will speak with the Finance and Commerce Ministries in this regard.
About Covid-19 vaccinations at private hospitals, he said: “If the government hospitals are given the vaccines, private hospitals will get them too.”
