By Badal Nur

DHAKA, Dec 24, 2024 (BSS) - The National Institute of Cardio Vascular Diseases (NICVD) here offers high-quality treatment for patients with heart disease even after shortage of beds.

The patients are seen waiting to get beds in rows on the floor of the country's largest specialized government hospital dedicated to heart disease treatment, leaving them in some sort of sufferings.

The BSS correspondent found dissatisfaction of patients and their attendants for their long time waiting to pay certain amount to undergo ECG, ECHO, and ANGIOGRAM tests in line with the doctors' advice.

Hospital sources said the doctors first advise the cardio vascular patients to undergo various tests that help them take decision whether the patients will be admitted or not.

But, the patients have to stand long time to pay money for these medical examinations, frustrating them for sufferings hours after hours.

Luvlu Hussain from Cumilla took his brother to the hospital for heart disease treatment. He said the treatment here is very good but huge patient pressure makes service receivers wait for long time.

Patient Afsar Ali expressed satisfaction over treatment of the hospital but stressed increasing seats there for providing further quality treatment.

Hospital sources said NICVD has a total of 1260 beds now which is very less than the demand.

They said about 2000 patients come to the hospital for treatment every day as tickets are sold from 8.30am to 1 pm and the price of each ticket is 10 Tk.

The patients however accuse of bed trading in exchange for money in the hospital, pointing to a gang of 10-12 people.

They alleged that these dishonest people arranged seats for patients through exchanging money although the seats are free here.
 
NICVD Director Prof. Dr. Abdul Wadud Chowdhury said there is huge pressure of the patients in the hospital, making crises for beds.

He suggested setting up cardiac units in every divisional city's hospitals for reducing patients' pressure on NICVD.
Turning to brokers, he voiced taking stern actions against them if found in the hospital, saying some sections may take this illegal advantage from the patients and their relatives due to the extra pressure.

He urged the patients and their relatives not to step into the trap of this racket.