ED: Making sure there are enough hospital beds

With over 250 daily deaths, over 15,000 infections, and an infection rate of about 30%, Bangladesh continues to experience its worst period of the Covid-19 pandemic, with this current wave lasting much longer than anticipated previously. 

Combined with the danger of dengue and the increasing number of patients hospitalized as a result, it is no wonder that hospitals in the country, both private and public, are currently overwhelmed. 

To that end, it is good that the government too has taken notice, and that it is said to be desperately trying to increase the number of beds in the hospitals. 

There have been too many instances of patients suffering immensely or even losing their lives as a result of not having found a hospital bed to admit them in, and it is extremely disappointing that, despite knowing the plausible risks and danger, we have remained sluggish in our attempts to better equip our hospitals with adequate facilities. 

However, it appears that the authorities concerned have finally realized the gravity of the matter, and while this realization is positive, it means nothing if subsequent action does not follow. Right now, improving our health care facilities should be the number one priority; who knows how many lives we could be saving if everyone had access to the all the medical services and facilities required. 

Adding more hospital beds is a good first step, and a proper plan must be drawn up and implemented as soon as possible, but we must think long-term and continue to bolster our health care facilities so that we can save our people during future health crises.