After a long gap of 13 years, Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) has received administrative approval to increase its bed capacity by 100, paving the way for expanding critical care services. The approval, issued by the Health Services Division on Monday, raises the hospital's total bed capacity from 1,200 to 1,300. This increase will allow the authorities to formally launch services in the newly added beds, including a government-recognized Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
The last increase in bed capacity at RMCH occurred in 2013, bringing it to 1,200 beds. Under the hospital's initiative, 46 ICU beds have already been set up, with 12 for adult patients, 16 for elderly patients, 12 for children, and six for patients requiring intensive monitoring after complex surgeries. These beds will now receive government recognition as ICU beds.
Additionally, 54 new beds will be added to expand critical care services. Of these, 15 beds will be allocated for pregnant and postpartum mothers, 10 for newborns, 10 for cancer and other critically ill patients, and 19 for patients under the One Stop Crisis Centre (OCC). With the existing and new facilities combined, the ICU will have a total of 100 beds.
ICU in-charge Dr. Abu Hena Mostafa Kamal of RMCH informed that the approval for a government-recognized ICU will help ensure better services for critically ill patients, as there will be dedicated budgetary support and improved management.
The approval was communicated through a letter sent by Deputy Secretary of the Health Services Division Kazi Sharif Uddin Ahmed to the Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services on Monday. The letter stated that administrative approval was granted to upgrade RMCH's capacity from 1,200 to 1,300 beds and start service operations in the additional beds, subject to compliance with all relevant rules and regulations.
