Mawlamyaing is preparing for more COVID-19 positive patients by building a temporary hospital at the No.1 Basic Education High School's football field.
According to Tin Hlaing, the donor of the hospital, it was built to accomodate possible surge of COVID-19 cases as hospitals in Mon State is showing signs of crowding already. He says that this will be a place where professors are able to practice their craft, nearby to the hospital and is able to fit about 280 patients altogether.
"Initially it was supposed to be three 60x120 feet buildings but after meeting with doctors, it is now a single 80x320 feet building due to staffing requirements. It will be set up in such a way that the entire building can be managed at the top via a CCTV system by one to two doctors," said Tin Hlaing.
The building will be a steel structure, one large hall room to accomodate 20 patients, spacious enough for ambulances to park, an emergency ward, PPE suit-up room, resting rooms for doctors and other staffs, 10 toilets for patients and 2 toilets and shower rooms for the medical staff.
According to Tin Hlaing, it is expected to be done by October 10.
"The healthcare system cannot collapse. I would also like to encourage professors, doctors, nurses and other professionals to help alleviate the process. There will be many things that are left wanting after this hospital gets built for example food, medicines, masks, PPEs and so on. And a patient will stay at least 11 to 14 days so everybody must be able to understand this," implored Tin Hlaing.
Dr. Witt Hmone, Deputy public health chief of the region, say the temporary hospital was approved as there already were plans to accomodate for around 180 more patients and also to keep a secondary location available just in case. The donor had come forward to finance it.
"After it gets built, the manpower could be an issue because many doctors will not be able to spare time for the new place. So we have asked help from senior faculty members of the nursing school such as the rectors and teachers. As for the doctors, we can still manage it from the top. The temporary hospital will be a system with low amount of staff but even then it will require 5 to 6 personnel from professionals from respective departments to security to volunteers. There will definitely a staff shortage. We will have to call upon available staff across 10 townships in Mon State," said Dr. Witt Hmone.
From 8 April to 27 September, Mon State currently has 245 COVID positive patients with two deaths. A total of 88 patients have been discharged.
