Mohammad Al-Masum Molla

As confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in the country are on the rise, the government is expanding the intensive care unit (ICU) facilities outside the capital to treat the critical patients.

As of yesterday, a total of 15 ICU beds dedicated for corona patients have been installed in three divisions -- Sylhet, Rajshahi and Mymensingh, according to Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

Apart from these, there are 34 beds at the two government hospitals dedicated for corona patients -- 26 at Kuwait Bangladesh Friendship Hospital and eight at Sheikh Russel Gastro Liver Hospital, Aminul Hasan, director of Hospitals and Clinics of DGHS, told The Daily Star yesterday.

Besides, there are five beds at Sajida Foundation Hospital and six at Regent Hospital dedicated for Covid-19 patients, he said.

“We are planning to set up 84 more ICU beds in the divisional headquarters for the Covid-19 patients by this week,” the DGHS director said.

According to DGHS, there are 508 ICU beds in government hospitals and 737 ICU beds in private hospitals.

Although the government has expanded its ICU facilities in recent times, experts said it is still a far cry from what would be required to meet the demand if the situation turns worse in the coming days.