The hospital reasoned that ICU was essential as most hospitals in the capital refuse to admit patients afflicted with infectious diseases. [break]
The STIDH, which is the country´s only referral hospital for the treatment of infectious diseases, does not have facilities like ICU, ventilator and isolation ward.
“Due to the lack of ICU and ventilator we have to request other hospitals to keep our patients,” director of the hospital Dr Mithila Sharma said.
She also said most hospitals refuse to treat patients with infectious diseases when the patients need it most.
“When a patient becomes very serious, we prefer ICU, but it is hard to get,” she added.
Seven employees of the hospital are being trained on ICU operation at Patan hospital.
According to Sharma, the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) is committed to allocating budget for ICU and ventilator. She hoped the MoPH will provide budget for three to four ICUs.
However, the hospital does not have anesthesia doctor to operate ICU. She said the hospital has also asked the ministry to allow recruitment of one anesthetist.
“We desperately need ICU as we have to refer patients to other hospitals every day,” she added.
Patients infected with dengue, tetanus, influenza, meningitis, cholera, and other infectious disease are treated at the hospital. Last year hundreds of dengue patients referred from Chitwan, Butwal and other districts were admitted to the hospital.
“We were compelled to refer serious patients to other hospitals,” Dr Rajesh Shah, a staff of the hospital said.
Director Sharma said the World Health Organization (WHO) will build a separate eight-bed isolation ward at the hospital.
Related story
Teku hospital’s excellent performance during COVID-19 pandemic
