Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) has received administrative approval to add 100 more beds after a 13-year gap, paving the way for the expansion of critical care services, including a government-recognised Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
The approval was issued by the Health Services Division on Monday. With the decision, the hospital’s total bed capacity will increase from 1,200 to 1,300, enabling authorities to formally begin operations at the newly approved beds, including those for ICU services.
Deputy Secretary of the Health Services Division Kazi Sharif Uddin Ahmed sent a letter regarding the approval to the Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services on Monday.
According to the letter, administrative approval was granted to upgrade RMCH’s capacity from 1,200 to 1,300 beds and start service operations in the additional beds, subject to compliance with all relevant rules and regulations.
The hospital’s bed capacity was last increased to 1,200 in 2013.
Under the hospital’s initiative, 46 ICU beds have already been set up. Of these, 12 are for adult patients, 16 for elderly patients, 12 for children and six for patients requiring intensive monitoring after complex surgeries. These beds will now be recognised as government-approved ICU beds.
Another 54 beds will be added to further strengthen critical care services. Of these, 15 beds will be allocated for pregnant and postpartum mothers, 10 for newborns, 10 for cancer and other critically ill patients, and 19 for patients under the One Stop Crisis Centre (OCC).
With the existing and newly added facilities combined, RMCH’s ICU will have a total capacity of 100 beds, said ICU in-charge Dr Abu Hena Mostafa Kamal.
“We have received approval for a government-recognised ICU. This will help ensure better services for critically ill patients as it will provide dedicated budgetary support and improve management,” he said.