The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, has launched the first Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Sadar Hospital in Cox’s Bazar for the displaced Myanmar Rohingya national and host community.
This 18-bed ICU will serve the needs of refugees and local community members with the most severe coronavirus symptoms with 10-ICU beds with life-saving ventilators, and 8 high-dependency beds, this unit is the first of its kind in Cox’s Bazar, the UNHCR said in a statement on Saturday.
“We began this work at the beginning of April, led by the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC) and with the support of the DC and UNHCR. We are delighted to see it completed,” said Mohammad Mohiuddin, Superintendent of Sadar Hospital in Cox’s Bazar.
UNHCR has constructed and opened two Severe Acute Respiratory Infection Isolation and Treatment facilities (SARI ITCs) in Cox’s Bazar, which are providing care to refugees and Bangladeshis.
A total of 29 patients have been discharged so far after having recovered from the virus. UNHCR and humanitarian partners have also provided training, support, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for frontline health workers.
“On World Refugee Day, we are proud to celebrate the resilience of refugees globally and, in particular, the Rohingya refugee population in Bangladesh,” said Hinako Toki, Senior Operations Coordinator for UNHCR in Cox’s Bazar.
