Infant's death prompts ICU reopening at Infectious Disease Hospital within 24hrs of minister's call

The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Infectious Disease Hospital in Mohakhali, Dhaka, has been made operational within 24 hours of a commitment by Health Minister Sardar Sakhawat Hossain.

During a late-night visit to the hospital yesterday, the minister had assured journalists that the ICU would be reopened within the next day. The development was confirmed in a press release issued by the Ministry of Health this evening (17 March).

According to the statement, a recent surge in measles infections led to a sudden increase in patient admissions at the hospital, exceeding its capacity. With more patients than available beds, treatment has been provided on floors and even in corridors.

The minister visited the hospital after reports that a critically ill child had died. 

He was accompanied by the health secretary, the director general of the Directorate General of Health Services, and other officials. 

Speaking to journalists, he said there were limitations in facilities but no negligence or lack of effort.

He added that the ICU, established earlier with support from the Global Fund under the ERPP project, had remained closed after the project ended.

He said it would be made operational within a day by deploying required personnel, including doctors and anesthetists.

Following the directive, three doctors, one junior consultant (anesthesia), and one anesthetist have been assigned to the hospital from different parts of the country. 

ICU beds and equipment have been set up, and the five-bed ICU unit is now ready to provide emergency services.

The press release also said as the hospital has a capacity of 100 beds and treats patients with measles, rabies, AIDS, tetanus and other infectious diseases, a separate unit has been arranged at the nearby DNCC hospital to treat measles patients.