NBMCH Covid Block to open on 19 Feb

SNS, SILIGURI. 12 FEBRUARY 21 : The proposed Covid block at the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital (NBMCH) will be functional from 19 February. The health department has taken the decision following a visit of officials there today.

The state government has decided to release two private nursing homes requisitioned for treatment of Covid-19 patients in Siliguri as the number of active cases has steadily declined in the past few months. The government has already reduced the number of beds requisitioned in those two private health facilities.

The joint secretary of the health and family welfare department, Rupam Banerjee, technical officer Dr Suporno Paul, and officer on special duty for Covid-19 in north Bengal, Dr Susanta Kumar Roy, who are assessing the infrastructure for the treatment of the Covid-19 in some districts visited the Covid block at the NBMCH today. 

"The health department has decided to open the facility at the NBMCH on 19 February. It will be a 124-bed facility," Dr Roy said. A four-storiedmbuilding used for night shelter for relatives of patients has been developed into the Covid block.

Sources said the ground  floor will bhe used for high dependency unit and critical care unit. Both the units will  have around 20 beds. The  first, second and third floors will be meant for general  patients suffering from Covid-19. According to Dr Roy, the health and family welfare health department was trying  to introduce government sponsored facilities for the treatment of Covid-19 instead of the private nursing homes from 1 March.