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Editorial

Corona unmasks face of health sector

Healthcare needs to be prioritised during crisis


Bangladeshpost
Published : 08 Apr 2020 10:16 PM | Updated : 05 Sep 2020 05:58 AM

The healthcare situation in the country has become dire as the number of coronavirus patients is on the rise. Some people have already died without receiving any treatment. Healthcare workers are blaming the situation on the lack of safety equipment. 

Due to panic spreading over coronavirus in the country, the hospitals are inundated with patients coming in to get their symptoms checked. As a result, many patients are unable to see a doctor or receive proper treatment. Some are receiving health advice over the phone or on social media platforms. Medicine stores in the country are running out of drugs and the situation will likely worsen in the coming days.

While many of the patients are coming in with coronavirus symptoms, general patients are not getting proper treatment due to lack of doctors. Those with chronic or serious health conditions are not getting treatment and this is a cause for great concern.


Doctors,  hospital  staff and ambulance 

drivers are all gripped with fear as the 

virus is extremely  contagious


It is alleged that ambulance staff are not serving the patients who are suffering from fever, cough and respiratory symptoms. Doctors, hospital staff and ambulance drivers are all gripped with fear as the virus is extremely contagious. Those who are providing health services 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.

But with shortages of PPE, many health care workers are at risk of contracting the virus. The spread of the virus is exponential, which means that in case of an outbreak in the country, the numbers would explode very quickly. In such a situation, it would be likely overwhelm our medical care system and result in thousands of deaths.

The government must ensure that healthcare access is ensured for all during this time of crisis. We need urgent import of medical and safety equipment in the country as well.