Patna, India – As the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases continues to rise in India, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has opened a 100-bed temporary treatment centre for patients with the new coronavirus in Patna, the capital of Bihar state, in the northeast of the country.

The MSF COVID-19 treatment centre is housed in the remodelled Patliputra Sports Complex in Patna Indoor Stadium. Fully managed by MSF, it will initially provide medical care to patients with mild or moderate symptoms, to support the isolation of confirmed COVID-19 cases and reduce community spread.

As the pandemic evolves, and the demand for oxygen for patients outstrips existing supplies, our focus will switch to providing high-flow oxygen to people with moderate cases who need it, as well as dignified palliative care to those who require it.

MSF is collaborating with the Bihar government and health authority, which will refer patients to the facility. This will decongest dedicated government-run COVID-19 treatment hospitals and allow them to focus on people with severe or critical cases of the disease.

With 180 MSF staff, the centre will also offer inpatient care, health education, mental health support, and access to all essential drugs and medical supplies needed to treat people with moderate cases.

“Responding to emergencies is at the core of what MSF does,” said Dr Prince Mathew, MSF’s Regional Head of Mission Asia. “We are putting our knowledge and experience in epidemic management to help mitigate the impact of COVID-19 in Bihar state.”

“This pandemic affects us all. For this reason, the response needs teamwork,” Dr Mathew said. “Our partnership with the local health authorities enables us to increase treatment capacity, reduce mortality and prevent infections in the state.”

The number of confirmed recorded cases of COVID-19 in India has reached over 380,000 as of 19 June. Restrictions on the movement of people, in place since early March, have loosened over the last few weeks in many areas, but cases are expected to continue to rise.

Some areas of the country are seen as hotspots or particularly vulnerable to outbreaks, such as Bihar state, which has seen millions of people returning to the state from work in other parts of India.

“In these times when the world is grappling with a pandemic, it is essential for all stakeholders to work together and fight this battle against COVID-19”, said Mangal Pandey, Health Minister, Bihar. “This initiative by MSF to open a temporary hospital to provide free treatment to COVID-19-positive patients in Patna is an excellent example of how every contribution counts and the Bihar government wholeheartedly supports their work.”
 
The state of Maharashtra currently has the highest number of recorded COVID-19 cases in India. MSF has started activities in Mumbai’s Govandi area to address transmission of the new coronavirus and improve water and sanitation facilities. In the coming weeks, we will begin operations to treat COVID-19 patients in the state.