Strengthening Emergency and COVID-19 Care at Sadar Hospital in Cox’s Bazar

A medical doctor supported by Community Partners International provides care at Sadar Hospital, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. (Md. Dipu/CPI)

“This partnership improves the hospital’s ability to provide comprehensive emergency care for vulnerable patients.” Dr. Md. Mahbubur Rahman, Cox's Bazar Civil Surgeon

As Bangladesh and South Asia experience spikes in COVID-19 cases, Community Partners International (CPI) and Green Hill have mobilized to help Sadar Hospital in Cox’s Bazar cope with a rise in patients needing care.

On May 25, 2021, Community Partners International and Green Hill launched an initiative to help Sadar Hospital Emergency Department and COVID-19 Isolation Center scale up COVID-19 care and sustain other emergency medical services for the local Bangladeshi population and Rohingya refugees from Myanmar sheltering in nearby camps in Cox’s Bazar District. The Emergency Department, operated by the Bangladesh Ministry of Health with the support of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), is the first port of call for many patients visiting Sadar Hospital.

Community Partners International is supporting the deployment of four doctors in the Emergency Department and 18 support staff in the COVID-19 Isolation Center. These additional health and support workers will help Sadar Hospital to safely receive suspected COVID-19 patients, carry out testing, and provide treatment to patients who are experiencing moderate to severe symptoms but who do not need intensive care.

Support staff deployed at Sadar Hospital Isolation Center receive training from Community Partners International and Green Hill in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. (CPI)

“Efficient screening, triage, and initial treatment of symptomatic patients by healthcare professionals is crucial to maintain infection control measures and manage the patients accordingly,” explained Rochelle Martin, Hospital Project Manager for the ICRC. “Community Partners International have seconded four doctors to the Emergency Department, and these additional resources have been much appreciated by us and the Ministry of Health.”

Dr. Md. Mahbubur Rahman, the Cox's Bazar Civil Surgeon, expressed his support for CPI’s efforts. “I extend my sincere thanks and gratitude for the support provided by Community Partners International in strengthening Sadar Hospital Emergency Department with human resources,” he said. “This partnership improves the hospital’s ability to provide comprehensive emergency care for vulnerable patients.”

Alongside health system support to Sadar Hospital, Community Partners International provides a range of health, water, sanitation and hygiene, clean energy and education services to vulnerable communities in several locations across Bangladesh.