Chattogram Covid facilities shutting down over fund crisis | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Get the Paper
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Sunday
July 20, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Get the Paper
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
SUNDAY, JULY 20, 2025
Chattogram Covid facilities shutting down over fund crisis

Covid-19 in Bangladesh

Shahadat Hossain Chowdhury
18 September, 2020, 01:30 pm
Last modified: 18 September, 2020, 01:34 pm

Related News

  • Chattogram sets Tk2,200cr flyover plan to unclog Oxygen intersection
  • Chattogram Port to deliver 16 more products via private depots to ease congestion
  • Another public pond faces encroachment in Ctg, ‘indifference of DoE office’ protested
  • Railing theft under Ctg flyovers: Authorities indifferent
  • BNP, Jubo Dal leaders sent to jail over land grabbing allegations in Ctg

Chattogram Covid facilities shutting down over fund crisis

Three out seven such field hospitals and isolation centres have already closed their doors, and many others are on the verge of shutting down

Shahadat Hossain Chowdhury
18 September, 2020, 01:30 pm
Last modified: 18 September, 2020, 01:34 pm
Sylhet Infectious Disease Hospital
Photo: Collected

The Covid-19 pandemic remains a serious threat to public health, but privately-owned field hospitals and isolation centres set up to tackle the outbreak in Chattogram are gradually shutting down due to financial crisis and other issues.

Three out of seven such facilities have already closed their doors, and many others are on the verge of shutting down their institutions despite having patients.

Experts have raised concerns over the issue as these healthcare facilities serve as a focal point for Covid-19 treatment in the region, and their absence could cause the outbreak to spiral out of control.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

Some of the entrepreneurs behind such hospitals said they are unable to continue running these healthcare facilities due to a multitude of issues, such as a lack of operating funds and donations.

After the Covid-19 outbreak began spreading throughout the country, public health expert Dr Biddut Barua launched the Chattogram Field Hospital under his supervision on April 21. Since then, six such private facilities have sprung up at the port city to help tackle the outbreak.

The other facilities are the Corona Isolation Centre Chattogram, Al Manahil Nurture Hospital, CMP-Bidyanondo Field Hospital, Patenga-EPZ Field Hospital, the Isolation Centre set up by Chattogram City Corporation, and Mukti Isolation Centre – which was launched by ruling party mayoral candidate Rezaul Karim.

The government also designated Chattogram Medical College Hospital and Chattogram General Hospital for treatment of Covid-19 patients.

Along with the government facilities, the seven privately-owned Covid-19 isolation centres and field hospitals had lessened some of the treatment related concerns of the port city residents.

But on August 31, Chattogram Field Hospital officially closed its doors. In a statement, the hospital's founder and Chief Executive Officer Dr Biddut Barua said, "The hospital had been operating through public donations. But this support has gradually decreased.

"Under such circumstances, we have decided to suspend the hospital's activities for the foreseeable future."

This hospital has provided outdoor and indoor services to 1,612 people who had tested Covid-19 positive or showed symptoms. Thirty-five employees, including doctors, nurses and volunteers used to work at that facility.

The Isolation Centre in the port city – set up by the Chattogram City Corporation – was inaugurated on June 13, and shut down on August 14.

Besides, the Corona Isolation Centre Chattogram – which began providing healthcare services on June 14 – halted its activities on September 15. The facility had provided healthcare to 765 people who either tested positive or had symptoms.

When asked about the decision, founder of the facility Sazzad Hossain said, "We had rented the space from the owner of a community centre, and the three-month agreement has expired.

"We were also facing financial issues. So, we decided to shut down the facility for good despite having patients."

Patenga-EPZ Field Hospital, which was set up at a school in Patenga, is on the verge of shutting down. The facility's managing committee is set to hold a meeting on September 20 to decide whether to shut down the hospital or not, confirmed the authorities concerned.

Due to the shutdown of a number of isolation centres and field hospitals in Chattogram, CMP-Bidyanondo Field Hospital is witnessing an increased number of patients. People who tested Covid-19 positive and those with symptoms are now flocking to the hospital's outdoor facility.

Addressing the issue, the hospital's Coordinator Jamal Uddin said, "Under the current pandemic situation, now is not the time to shut down such field hospitals. We will run this facility at least till next October. As other isolation centres have shut down, we are witnessing a gradual increase in the number of patients here."

Commenting on the matter, the Consumers Association of Bangladesh's (CAB) Vice President SM Nazer Hossain said, "Amid the deadly outbreak of the novel coronavirus, isolation centres set up by private entrepreneurs had eased some of the concerns of port city dwellers.

"However, due to the gradual shutdown of those facilities, people are losing alternative means of getting treatment for Covid-19. Amid the ongoing situation, I hardly believe that the quality of healthcare offered at public hospitals has seen any improvement."

Unless government initiatives are increased for tackling the Covid-19 outbreak, the pandemic situation in the port city could spiral out of control, he added.

Additional Divisional Commissioner (Development) Mohammad Mizanur Rahman – who serves as the convener of a surveillance committee formed to ensure healthcare for all patients, including Covid-19 cases, said, "The people are now more aware about the novel coronavirus.

"Even if the privately-owned Covid-19 isolation centres shut down, treatment will remain available at public hospitals."

Meanwhile, Chattogram Civil Surgeon Dr Sheikh Fazle Rabbi said, "We have requested the privately-owned healthcare facilities – which have already shut down – to restart their activities if the pandemic situation deteriorates.

"There are 650 designated seats at public hospitals for Covid-19 cases in Chattogram city. Besides, many private hospitals are also treating novel coronavirus patients."

According to the Chattogram Civil Surgeon's Office, 18,120 people tested positive for the novel coronavirus until September 16. Among them, 12,950 are from the port city and 5,170 from different upazilas.

Till the filing of this report, 282 people have died from the disease. Of them, 195 are from Chattogram city, and 87 are from various upazilas. Besides, 14,274 people have recovered from the infection so far.

Top News

COVID-19 / facilities / Chattogram

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • A roundtable titled ‘US Reciprocal Tariff: Which Way for Bangladesh?’, held at a hotel in Dhaka on 20 July 2025, organised by Prothom Alo. Photo: TBS
    'Things don't look good for Bangladesh': Major brands tell businesses on US tariff issue
  • Former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. File photo: Collected
    Bangladeshis linked to Hasina govt made UK property transactions in past year: Guardian
  • Dhaka University Central Students' Union (Ducsu) building. Photo: Collected
    Ducsu election in 2nd week of September, schedule to be announced 29 July

MOST VIEWED

  • Photo: Collected
    Most expensive car crash in Bangladesh as Rolls-Royce hits road divider on 300 Feet
  • Screengrab from video
    Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur collapses on stage mid-speech at Suhrawardy rally
  • Renata’s Mirpur facility earns Bangladesh’s first EU GMP
    Renata’s Mirpur facility earns Bangladesh’s first EU GMP
  • Bangladesh's Chief of Army Staff General Waker-uz-Zaman gestures during an interview with Reuters at his office in the Bangladesh Army Headquarters, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, 23 September 2024. Photo: Reuters
    Army chief stresses discipline, humanitarian values for national progress
  • Jamaat holds its first-ever Suhrawardy Udyan rally at Suhrawardy Udyan on 19 July 2025. Photo: Jamaat-e-Islami/Facebook
    Elections under PR system most appropriate now, Jamaat’s Taher tells Suhrawardy rally
  • Infograph: TBS
    Liquidation of troubled NBFIs may cost govt Tk12,000cr in taxpayer money

Related News

  • Chattogram sets Tk2,200cr flyover plan to unclog Oxygen intersection
  • Chattogram Port to deliver 16 more products via private depots to ease congestion
  • Another public pond faces encroachment in Ctg, ‘indifference of DoE office’ protested
  • Railing theft under Ctg flyovers: Authorities indifferent
  • BNP, Jubo Dal leaders sent to jail over land grabbing allegations in Ctg

Features

Tottho Apas have been protesting in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka for months, with no headway in sight. Photo: Mehedi Hasan

From empowerment to exclusion: The crisis facing Bangladesh’s Tottho Apas

13h | Panorama
The main points of clashes were in Jatrabari, Uttara, Badda, and Mirpur. Violence was also reported in Mohammadpur. Photo: TBS

20 July 2024: At least 37 killed amid curfew; Key coordinator Nahid Islam detained

13h | Panorama
Jatrabari in the capital looks like a warzone as police, alongside Chhatra League men, swoop on quota reform protesters. Photo: Mehedi Hasan

19 July 2024: At least 148 killed as government attempts to quash protests violently

1d | Panorama
Illustration: TBS

Curfews, block raids, and internet blackouts: Hasina’s last ditch efforts to cling to power

1d | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

Ukraine offers new talks to Russia

Ukraine offers new talks to Russia

57m | TBS World
Miscreants set fire to a bus in the capital's Pallabi area

Miscreants set fire to a bus in the capital's Pallabi area

3h | TBS Today
Why has India failed to utilize its potential?

Why has India failed to utilize its potential?

4h | Others
After Gopalganj, the reason why NCP is facing obstacles in Cox's Bazar?

After Gopalganj, the reason why NCP is facing obstacles in Cox's Bazar?

15h | TBS Today
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net