Fatal wait: ICU bed shortage claims 229 lives at RMCH in March

A critical shortage of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds claimed the lives of 229 patients in March, including 91 children, at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH). These deaths occurred while patients were waiting for available ICU beds.

Hospital sources said RMCH currently has only 40 ICU beds: 12 for children, 16 for elderly patients, and 12 for adults—far below the demand.

In March, 119 children were admitted to the pediatric ICU, while 386 remained on the waiting list. Among those waiting, 91 children died. During the same period, 143 elderly patients received ICU care, but 302 were waiting, and 70 of them passed away. For adults, 135 patients could be admitted to the ICU, while 312 remained on the waiting list, with 68 deaths reported.

Doctors noted that a recent rise in complications from measles and pneumonia has sharply increased the demand for pediatric ICU beds, putting immense pressure on the hospital’s limited capacity.

To ease the situation, the hospital temporarily added six more pediatric ICU beds, raising the total from 12 to 18. Currently, 12 of these beds are occupied by children affected by measles.

Hospital spokesperson Dr Shankar K Biswas stated that efforts are being made to expand ICU capacity, including installing additional oxygen lines and other measures. However, even after these steps, available services remain insufficient compared to demand.

Meanwhile, as of the morning of Tuesday, April 7, one more child died from measles-related complications in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of such deaths to 43. During the same period, 18 new patients were admitted, and 123 are currently under treatment.

Relatives of patients shared the painful experiences of losing loved ones while waiting for ICU beds. Rifat, a resident of Kushtia, said his five-month-old daughter died on March 27 while waiting for an ICU bed, where she was 32nd on the list. “I pleaded with many people, but I couldn’t secure an ICU bed for my daughter,” he said.

Established in 1958, RMCH is authorized for 1,200 beds but treats nearly 3,500 patients daily. The hospital also receives patients from neighbouring areas, increasing pressure on its services.

Health experts said that due to the lack of sufficient pediatric ICU facilities in the region, daily demand has risen from 30 to nearly 50 beds. Without a rapid expansion of ICU capacity, the death rate is expected to rise further.