Two hospitals dedicated for treating Covid-19 infected patients in Noakhali lack a central oxygen supply system, and patients suffer.
The local health authorities opened an isolation ward in a 250-bed general hospital, and also built a makeshift hospital in Shaheed Bhulu Stadium to treat Covid-19 patients in the district.
Oxygen supply systems are required to treat critical Covid-19 patients with breathing difficulties. But, the two dedicated hospitals lack vital equipment needed to ensure the smooth supply of oxygen.
As a result, the two hospitals are struggling to provide treatment to patients due to the oxygen crisis.
Fakrul Islam said his nephew Hossain Mahmud was admitted to the 250-bed general hospital with acute breathing problems. " He died on June 13 due to lack of oxygen supply."
Dr Nirupam Das, coordinator of the makeshift Covid-19 dedicated hospital at Shaheed Bhulu stadium said: "Within a short span of time, we have prepared the stadium for treating Covid-19 infected patients. The hospital now should have a central oxygen supply system. "
However, as there are no central oxygen supply systems in the hospitals, oxygen is delivered to patients from individual cylinders.
"We rely on oxygen cylinders, but the number of cylinders is not sufficient," said Dr Nirupam Das. "We need at least 150 oxygen cylinders here, but currently there are only 42 cylinders."
When the oxygen level of a patient goes below 93 percent, he or she needs a low amount of oxygen. However, when the situation does not improve, the patient needs much more oxygen, the doctor added.
Dr Sayed Mohiuddin Abdul Azim, residential medical officer at the 250 bed Noakhali General Hospital said: "There are currently 13 Covid 19 patients admitted here. They are not getting proper treatment due to an oxygen crisis.
Dr Farid Uddin Chowdhury, the director of the hospital, said: We had no oxygen crisis. But, the crisis has begun due to the coronavirus. We have sent a letter to the higher authorities seeking 50 oxygen cylinders."
