DHAKA, Aug 17, 2020 (BSS) – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) today opened a 120-bed Severe Acute Respiratory Infection Isolation and Treatment Centre (SARI ITC) at Rohingya camp in Cox’s Bazar as a part of its response to combat COVID-19 pandemic.
With this, the UN Migration Agency in collaboration with the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC) office set up a total of three SARI ITCs, with total 230 bed capacity to isolate and treat COVID-19 patients with moderate to severe symptoms, said a press release, issued by IOM here today.
The IOM-initiated ITCs are to provide continuous COVID-19 related health service for both host community and Rohingyas in Teknaf and Ukhyia upazilas, it added.
RRRC Md Mahbub Alam Talukder inaugurated the 120-bed SARI ITC at the camp as the chief guest while IOM’s deputy chief of mission Manuel Marques Pereira chaired the programme.
The RRRC Md. Mahbub Alam Talukder said out of about one million Rohingyas, only six have died of COVID-19 so far as all organizations at the camps responded the pandemic situation with utmost caution.
“It has been possible to control the transmission of infection through the coordinated efforts by all,” he said.
Strengthening and upgrading existing health services is one of IOM’s top priorities to support Bangladesh government to limit the impact of COVID-19 in Cox’s Bazar while its efforts in monsoon response, protection services and livelihoods improvement have been continued, the release said.
Together with partners, IOM aims to expand support and alleviate the burden faced by vulnerable populations to COVID-19 across the district, it added.