CHITWAN: The Bharatpur-based Chitwan Medical College (CMC) has set up a 30-bed COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The ICU was established for providing treatment to those testing positive for coronavirus infection.

President of Rotary International Year 2021/22, Shekhar Mehata, District 3292 governor Kiranlal Shrestha and Chief District Officer Narayan Prasad Bhattarai jointly inaugurated the ICU on Saturday.

College Chairperson and managing director Prof Dr. Harish Chandra Neupane informed the hospital has installed 30-bed well-equipped ICU with ventilator service. Rotary Foundation has provided support for the setup of a ventilator, he shared.

According to Neupane, the ICU will be so far the biggest and well-equipped medical facility for the treatment of COVID-19 patients in Nepal. Though there are four ventilators in place right now other 30 will be available within 15 days.

Informing that approval from the Health Ministry has been sought for the treatment of COVID-19, he said PCR laboratory is also in ready condition.

He further shared that both the ICU and laboratory would come into operation with the approval from the Ministry of Health. The hospital has spent Rs 50 million for PCR laboratory and around Rs 250 million for the ICU, Neupane said.

The technicians of the hospital are still rendering service from Bharatpur COVID-19 laboratory. Also, this hospital has aided Bharatpur Corona Hospital, Madi and Bharatpur metropolis-5 by providing beds.