NBMCH Covid-19 Block likely to be functional next month

SANKHA GHOSH, SNS, SILIGURI. 26 DECEMBER 20 : The proposed dedicated Covid- 19 Block at the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital (NBMCH) in Siliguri is expected to be functional next month.

A decision to set up such a facility in the region's premier hospital was taken after the state government decided to release two private nursing homes requisitioned for treatment of Covid-19 patients, as health officials say the number of active Covid cases has seen a steady decline.

A four-stomy building used for night shelter for relatives of patients at the NBMCH is being developed into the Covid block.

According to NBMCH officials, the facility will have 124 beds, while the ground floor will be used to house the high dependency unit (HDU) and Critical Care Unit (CCU). Both the units will have 10 beds each. The first, second and third floors will be meant for general patients suffering from Covid- 19.

Authorities said around 15 medical officers, 30 nursing staff, at least 10 house staff, interns, and medical technologists will be engaged in the block. A proposal to this effect has been sent to the health department.

"We are expecting that the Covid Block will be functional from January," said NBMCH superintendent Dr Kausik Samajdar.

Dr Samajdar said a new CT scan machine, an important component for Covid treatment, will also be installed under the radiology department.

The existing machine at the NBMCH has been lying defunct for the past few years.

Officials said a significant number of medical staff had been engaged in two designated nursing homes and once those are fully released, they will he engaged at the NBMCH.

"We have written to the health department for the engagement of additional manpower," officials said.

The health department has requisitioned two private nursing homes at Matigara and Kawakhali. In September, the department released 60 of the 160 beds at the Kawakahli-based Desun Hospital. The health department said the occupancy rate, especially in the general wards, in those two facilities had gone down in the past few months. The state government is also spending several crore of rupees in the two private facilities, officials said.

Dr Samajdar said the work for the installation of the medical gas pipeline system (MGPS), a key element that provides vital medical gases for patient ventilation and various clinical applications, will begin soon.

"We have made arrangements of adequate ventilators and multi- channel monitors. Once the work for MGPS is completed, to facility will be ready for operation," he said.

Sources said the estimated budget for the MGPS is around Rs 20 lakh.

An official in the rank of assistant superintendent will be a nodal officer of the Covid Block.

According to the authorities, alternative arrangements had been made for the shelter of NBMCH patients' relatives.