Chitwan gets 50-bed corona hospital in 72 hours

Kathmandu: A 50-bed health facility for a specific purpose has been established at Bharatpur municipality-10 in Chitwan.

The facility named ‘Bharatpur Corona Special Hospital’ has been set up in 72 hours at Chitwan’s Exhibition Centre amidst fear of the deadly coronavirus (COVID-19) infection which has already taken a global pandemic turn. The OPD service and general wards are coming into operation from today itself. The Bharatpur metropolis took initiation to set up the facility.

According to metropolis mayor Renu Dahal, the medical workforce and employees to be deputed in the hospital have been given required orientation and training as per the World Health Organisation’s directions. They will be provided a cent percent incentive and safety gowns. Only those people suspected of having COVID-19 infection will be admitted to the hospital with the arrangements of food to internet service for health workers and patients.

The 15-member task force headed by Mayor Dahal led the establishment of the hospital. According to task force Spokesperson Dr. Bhojraj Adhikari, they had sought the help of two government-run and two private medical colleges for the management of beds for the facility which has the support of private hospitals for pathology and radiology services.

Besides, local industry association and the chamber of commerce and industry have been cooperating with the metropolis from their respective sides to operate the hospital. The metropolis is bearing the operating costs of the hospital.

The hospital will manage a 10-bed intensive unit and a 10-bed high dependent unit, said Dr. Adhikari. A seven-member management committee has been formed to operate the hospital. The local administration has directed to shut Manakamana cable car service, cinema halls and local markets in Chitwan district for the time being.

The cable car service would close from tomorrow as the service operator has sought a week in this regard, said Chief District Officer Narayan Prasad Bhattarai (RSS).