Night guard Alamgir Mia with symptoms of fever and cough went to Dhaka Mohanagar Hospital on Wednesday for treatment, but he had to return home without any prescription due to lack of doctor at the hospital. Later, he went to Keraniganj Hospital where a physician listened to him maintaining a safe distance and prescribed a few medicines.
Sajeda Haque from Azimpur area also went to a hospital on Friday with similar symptoms of fever and cough but was denied treatment from several hospitals. However, following a Facebook post she received treatment from a doctor over phone. Earlier on March 23, a woman named Atika Roma shared her experience of coronavirus test in a Facebook post, detailing the carelessness and unpreparedness of the authorities performing the duty.
There are countless cases like Sajeda, Jibon and Roma who are not getting medical care even when they go to government hospitals with coronavirus-like symptoms. Such scenario is now a common sight in Dhaka where ambulances are also ignoring suspected coronavirus patients.
Mousumi Saha of old Dhaka told the story of her sufferings on Facebook. She said, “I called 999 helpline and for an ambulance. They came, but after seeing the breathing complexity they denied to carry the patient to hospital.” When she wanted to know the reason for not transporting the patient, the ambulance personnel said they could not risk their lives for the patient.
It is alleged that ambulance staff are not serving the patients who are suffering from fever, cough and respiratory symptoms. Several patients alleged that ambulance operators do not want to take patients to Kuwait-Bangladesh Friendship Hospital and Kurmitola Hospital where coronavirus patients are being treated, because panic has gripped them too.
Directorate General of Health Services’ (DGHS) hospital and clinic division director Aminul Hasan said, "It is sad if anybody declined to carry patients to hospitals.”
“However, the fear that has been created in people's minds about coronavirus requires motivation to be driven away. We are also doing this in different ways,” he added. Regarding ambulance services, he said, “One in each district and three ambulances in the control room of Health Department have been kept standby only for corona suspected patients. However, this is not the case for ordinary patients.” Regarding ambulance services, he said, one in each district and three ambulances in the control room of the Health Department have been fixed only for corona suspected. However, this will not hold good for ordinary patients.
Professor of Medicine Khan Abul Kalam Azad said, "It is true that people are terrified of common fever. Though not everyone is infected with this new virus, people are rushing to the hospitals. Health workers, including doctors, are also frightened.” Country Program Manager of Engender Health Bangladesh Dr Sheikh Nazmul Huda said, “People do not get sick every day. And the ambulance must response when someone calls in an emergency. But those who are providing this service are at risk of contracting Covid-19. Ambulance drivers need to be careful. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is also a must for them. Besides, PPE should be disinfected after transporting a corona patient. After that they cannot be used for 12 hours.”
