Staff Reporter :
Authorities of the Holy Family Red Crescent Medical College and Hospital is yet to clear arrear salaries of their staff though they announced it a dedicated Covid-19 hospital on Sunday.
They said that, they could not provide salaries to their staff owing to the ‘financial crisis’ due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Prof Mohammad Murshed, Director of the Hospital admitted the fact saying that they were in problems with due salaries for the last four months due to financial crisis. “But, some groups were raising the issue with ill motive when the hospital designated as Covid-19 treatment.
On Sunday, Health Minister Zahid Maleque inaugurated health service for Covid-19 patients at Holy Family Red Crescent Medical College Hospital in Dhaka amid demonstration by some of the medical staff for their due salaries and personal protective equipments (PPEs).
“How can we take the risk of lives when we remained unpaid for long? questioned Abdul Khaleque (not real name), a staff of the hospital.
He said, the hospital authority entered into a deal with the health ministry and announced it a “designated Covid-19 hospital.” But many things, including arrears, incentive, health insurance and accommodation of the hospital staff, still remained unresolved. The authority must clear these key issues before pushing us against the fights of coronavirus pandemic.”
The hospital with 700 beds has skilled and experienced doctors, nurses and staffers. Of these beds, 500 will be dedicated for coronavirus infected patients.
In addition, the hospital is equipped with 10 ICUs, seven ventilators, seven dialysis machines and other necessary equipments with at least 75 separate cabins.
The hospital will set up a coronavirus testing lab immediately to accelerate the Covid-19 treatment.
Prof Murshed said that, initially they were planning to install 400 beds. But the health minister asked for 500 beds and they were arranging for that.
‘We will start providing treatment to Covid-19 patients in a day or two,’ the Director said.
He said that, the government decided to pay hospital doctors and medical staff for the next six months and arranged their quarantine accommodation along with the supply of PPEs.
