Hospital for Covid-19 patients at Bashundhara’s ICCB to open soon

One of the largest hospitals dedicated to treating coronavirus patients is set to start operations soon at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) located in Bashundhara residential area in Dhaka.

Government staffers, officials of Bashundhara Group and others are working together to complete the task in the shortest possible time.

The makeshift hospital will have 2,013 beds in the isolation units and 71 Intensive Care Units.

The number can go up to 5,000 depending on the number of coronavirus infected patients, according to a press release sent to media.

Bashundhara Group is constructing a makeshift hospital at ICCB and once the crisis is over, the convention centre will return to its previous status.

"The work is almost complete. Portable workstations for doctors and nurses will be ready after installation of PVC carpeting on ground. We are hopeful about getting the hospital functional within four days," ICCB Chief Executive MM Jasim Uddin said.

Jasim further mentioned that a high capacity generator will ensure uninterrupted power supply to run electronic machines and air conditioning system.

Earlier, Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan sent a written proposal to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to set up a makeshift hospital at the ICCB for coronavirus patients.

Bashundhara Group Managing Director Sayem Sobhan Anvir later formally tendered the proposal to Prime Minister's Principal Secretary Dr Ahmed Kaikaus at the PMO and the premier accepted the proposal instantly. Anvir also donated Tk 100 million to the Prime Minister's Relief Fund.

The group has dedicated its trade centre with 150 thousand square feet and four convention centres with 90 thousand square feet to set up the hospital.

Medical ventilators will be supplied from the central medicine reserve of the government.

Bashundhara Group will provide utilities -- gas, water and power supply to the hospital.

The initiative has been appreciated by diplomats of different foreign missions and UN agencies in Dhaka.