Staff Reporter :
Although Bangladesh Private Clinic, Hospital and Diagnostic Owners’ Association has welcomed the government’s directive to provide treatment of Covid-19 patients at all hospitals, Bangladesh Private Medical College Association (BPMCHA) opposed it.
It said critical patients will face risk if the Covid and non-Covid patients are treated at the same hospital.
Meanwhile, the Health Ministry has warned of legal action if its directive is not implemented.
On May 24, the Health Ministry directed all hospitals with more than 50 seats to provide treatment to Covid-19 patients.
If the government’s directive is implemented, around 90,000 general beds and 700 ICU beds of private hospitals will be open for coronavirus-infected patients along with 40,000 general beds and over 200 ICU beds at government hospitals.
Bangladesh Private Clinic, Hospital and Diagnostic Owners’ Association has already taken steps to execute the government’s directive.
Its Secretary General Dr Moinul Ahsan said there are over 300 hospitals with 50 beds and they have agreed to provide coronavirus treatment.
However, BPMCHA thinks this decision will invite disaster for the critical patients.
Its President MA Mubin Khan said if coronavirus is transmitted for the treatment of Covid-19 and critical patients together, this will be dangerous.
Meanwhile, Additional Health Secretary Habibur Rahman Khan has warned that licences of hospitals will be revoked if they do not implement the government’s directive.
He said legal action will be taken after making a list of the hospitals that have the capability to provide coronavirus treatment but refuse to do so.
