Bahrain converts parking into 130-bed COVID-19 unit in seven days

Manama: In an outstanding effort, Bahrain converted in seven days the third floor of the Bahrain Defense Force (BDF) Hospital parking into a large intensive care unit (ICU) capable of accommodating beds equipped with respiratory and reanimation equipment.

The field intensive care unit contains 130 beds to treat infected cases with COVID-19, official said.

The move is part of preemptive measures to deal with any emergency that may arise in the health situation and the need for extra space to provide coronavirus patients with appropriate care and treatment.

President of the Supreme Council of Health (SCH) Dr. Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Khalifa said “the unit is outfitted with the best equipment and according to the highest standards that consolidates the kingdom’s pioneering status in the health field.”

“The unit is part of the ongoing preparations of the national taskforce to provide the needed procedures to deal with infected cases. Bahrain will provide 500 beds nationwide to provide the needed treatment when required,” he said.

Led by Crown Prince Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Bahrain’s National Taskforce for Combating Coronavirus (COVID-19) which has been at the forefront of the national drive to curb the spread of the disease has often won international praise for its overall comprehensive approach, including the quick provision of isolation wards, and efforts to tackle the disease and to deal with its fallout.

The writer is a journalist based in Manama.