By Our Correspondent, Bharatpur, Mar 30: Chitwan Medical College (CMC) has stated that the government can convert the hospital into a COVID-19 treatment centre if it feels necessary to do so.

Issuing a press release on Monday, the college said that it was willing to become a coronavirus treatment centre but asked the government, political parties and the civil society to prioritise the health and well- being of the health professionals involved in the treatment of possible patients.

It also requested them to seriously consider the issues of human resource management, security, incentives and insurance while
making any decision.

Through the press statement, the hospital also demanded essential equipment and proper infrastructure for the medical personnel.

Calling the establishment of a temporary COVID-19 hospital is a positive development, CMC, however, stressed that the Bharatpur District Hospital should be the first to be converted into a corona-dedicated hospital in case of an outbreak.

“We are ready to become a treatment centre if and when the government finds it necessary,” said Dr Harish Chandra Neupane, executive director of CMC, “But, we believe that government hospitals should be given the first priority when deciding upon a hospital dedicated to treating corona patients.”

He further added, “Medical colleges can be utilised after that if the situation deems it necessary.”

Claiming that no health professional or medical facility could escape during this crisis, he said that the hospital stood ready to comply with any government requests.
With a total of 750 beds, CMC is the first private hospital of the district to express its willingness to be
converted to a COVID-19 treatment facility.