Oxygen For Chittagong Campaign

In response to the humanitarian disaster caused by Covid-19 pandemic in our beloved city of Chittagong, Bangladesh, the Chittagong Medical College Alumni of USA launched a campaign to procure and provide lifesaving oxygen and equipment to Chittagong Medical College Hospital. The campaign was named ‘Oxygen for Chittagong’ campaign. The whole campaign was spearheaded by a four-member task force formed by the executive committee of CMC Alumni of USA.

In the first part of the campaign, the Alumni Association initiated a fundraising appeal. The fundraising campaign was an unprecedented and breathtaking event for any voluntary or Alumni organization of Bangladesh origin. The outpouring of responses with donations was record-breaking and history making. We have received donations from over 125 alumni, their families, and friends. Donations were as small as $5 which our children donated saving their pocket money to donations as big as >$10,000 which many of our alumni generously donated. A total of over $151,000 was raised.

In the second part of project implementation, life saving medical equipment was purchased and delivered to Chittagong Medical College Principal. This process was implemented in five phases. Equipment selection, delivery and other implementation details were coordinated with Covid committee of Chittagong Medical College Hospital as we as the Principal, Hospital Director and ICU leadership.

The following is a phase-wise list of medical equipment those has been donated to Chittagong Medical College Hospital. The principal of Chittagong Medical College received the donations on behalf of the hospital and gave us receipts upon delivery and quality inspection.

Phase-1 

  1. High Flow Nasal Oxygen system – 4 systems
  2. Level III PPE for interns – 150 set

Phase-2 

  1. 3M verified FFP-2 masks -700
  2. Regular nasal cannula -1000
  3. Oxygen flow meter – 100
  4. Nasal cannula 1222 piece
  5. Reusable rubber P100 Half face mask 100
  6. Additional P100 pink filter for half face mask 400
  7. Level 3 PPE 200
  8. N95 masks 600

Phase-3 

  1. Infusion Pump for pediatric ward – 10
  2. Syringe Pump for pediatric ward – 10
  3. Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation machine (BiPAP) -4
  4. Patient care monitors -4
  5. Backup Batteries -4
  6. EKG machine -2
  7. Non rebreathing mask -1000

Phase -4 

  1. Infusion pumps -10 for ICU
  2. Syringe pumps -10 for ICU
  3. Portable Ultrasonography machine for ICU and OB/Gyn department
  1. Fetal Monitor
  2. Motorized patient trolley -2
  3. Reusable rubber half face 3 M P100 mask for frontline physicians of CMCH
  4. 3 ply cotton cloth masks with CMC Alumni USA logo on it, for all employees of CMCH – qty- 10,000

Phase-5 

  1. Intubating Video laryngoscopes for ICU and operation theater -2
  2. Blankets for CMCH patients and families  – 300 pieces

The last installment of the delivery was completed on December 12 2020.

After donation of all the above equipment – The ‘Oxygen for Chittagong ‘campaign still has substantial funds left to be used for Chittagong Medical College Hospital in related emergencies. The Alumni association is working to find a suitable partner in Chittagong in helping set up an emergency fund for matching donations/ scholarships for families/Children of the physicians who succumbed to Covid-19. The CMC Alumni leadership will update you when there is more development regarding the emergency fund.

Taskforce Members
Meskath Uddin MD (CMC 17)
Shaheen Mustafa MD (CMC18)
Parvez Karim MD (CMC21)
Zia Karim MD (CMC26)
CMC Alumni USA Executive Committee
Monowara

President
Rumi A Khan MD (CMC28)

Secretary
Ehsanul Karim MD (CMC27)
Interim Treasurer