Staff Reporter :
The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) on Wednesday informed the High Court that there are a total of 733 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds at government hospitals across the country.
Among them, 235 ICU beds were set up in 17 government hospitals since February this year for the treatment of Covid-19 patients.
Deputy Attorney General Amit Talukder placed the information in the High Court bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim as per the court’s earlier order.
Following a writ petition, the High Court on June 8 wanted to know the information how many Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds were available in all public and private hospitals across the country and how they were maintained.
During the hearing on the writ petition yesterday DAG Amit Talukder told the court that the DGHS centrally monitors the treatment management for Covid-19 patients and prescribes them through hotlines.
After the hearing, the High Court bench fixed June 14 for further hearing on the petition. The court also said it will hold hearings on June 14 on two other separate writ petitions filed over the management of oxygen supply in hospitals.
Dr Sheikh Abdullah Al Mamun, a Deputy Registrar of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), filed the writ petition on June 7 seeking HC directives upon the government for acquisition of the ICUs of the private hospitals and for formation of a Central Bed Bureau during the coronavirus pandemic.
Advocate Yadia Zaman took part in the hearing on behalf of the writ petitioner while Additional Attorney General Murad Reza and Deputy Attorney General Amit Talukder stood for the state.
