BSMMU Reportedly Kept One CCU Bed Reserved for 18 Months in Case Yunus ‘Might Need It’

❐ BD Digest Desk

A sensational issue has come to light after a copy of an office order issued by the Cardiology Department of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), one of the main sources of medical care for the common people of the country, went viral on social media. It has sparked fierce criticism.

A committee was formed to ensure ‘public health and emergency medical management’ in the event that Dr. Yunus, the chief advisor to the outgoing interim government, might be needed. In light of that order, it was mentioned that Bed-1 of CCU-2 and related comprehensive care arrangements should be kept.

That is, a CCU bed has been left empty for a year and a half, thinking that Dr. Yunus might be needed. In a country of 180 million people, it is harder to find an empty ICU or CCU bed in a government hospital than it is to reach a golden deer, but for a year and a half, a CCU bed has been carefully arranged, depriving countless people of treatment.

It is learned that the government order was issued on October 20, 2024. It states that in light of the previous directive of October 16, 2024, the Chief Advisor to the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Dr. A committee has been formed for the emergency treatment and overall care of Yunus.

The committee consisted of Professor Dr. Md. Abu Selim (Cardiology Department) as the chairman, and Dr. Khandaker Kamruzzaman, Dr. Deen Mujahid Md. Faruk, Ripa Rani Deb (Senior Staff Nurse, In-Charge, CCU-2) as members, and Dr. Muhammad Zafar Iqbal Jamali as member-secretary.

The order was signed by Professor Dr. Chowdhury Sheikh Saad Ahmed, Professor and Chairman, Department of Cardiology.

Copies are sent to the hospital director, professors and assistant professors of the relevant department, the university’s administrative authorities, and the office for copies.

The term of the interim government (August 2024 to February 2026) lasted approximately 18 months.

This incident is being heavily criticized in various quarters.

Many doctors and health professionals are expressing anger, saying that by keeping one CCU bed in this way, dozens of critical patients have been deprived of access, on average per week, and some have died due to lack of treatment.

Dr. Yunus, who has already become a target of hatred among the people of the country as one of the main culprits behind the deaths of thousands of children in the measles epidemic by stopping the purchase of vaccines, has been heavily criticized by the general public after the incident of reserving a CCU bed for him ‘in case he needs it’ was revealed.

However, the authorities have dismissed the issue of reserving such beds as ‘protocol’.

Experts say that keeping emergency medical supplies ready for heads of state or government is common in many countries. However, the extent to which this impacts the services provided to ordinary patients in government hospitals with limited resources is a matter of transparency and accountability.

The issue will become clearer if the BSMMU authorities or the Ministry of Health release detailed information on bed usage.