‘Joy Bangla Oxygen Seba’, an ongoing free oxygen service led by Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) men since July 25 last year, has provided services to almost 3600 patients across the country.
From the beginning of Covid-19 pandemic, when the market of oxygen, mask, personal protective equipment (PPE), and other relevant medical materials were at stake, three BCL leader started this service from capital which has now spread nationwide for all patients and promised to continue until bringing new dawn.
Sad bin Kader Chowdhury, organizing secretary of BCL central executive committee and former Dhaka University central students union (DUCSU) leader, Sabur Khan Collins, Deputy Science Secretary of BCL central executive committee and Rafiqul Islam Sobuj, Joint Secretary of BCL’s Dhaka University unit have led this campaign. At present, around 130 volunteers across the country are serving 24 hours with 76 cylinders.
Organizers said, the service was launched in the capital on June 25, last year. Then they started this program in two other divisional cities- Chittagong and Mymensingh on July 25 and 29. Later, district-based program started on August 3 with Fenni which was followed by Laxmipur on November 8 and Bogura district on November 26. They have started their activities recently in Cox's Bazar. They are also providing the service through couriers across the country.
Md. Sharif, a student of Fenni College said, “Oxygen support became mandatory for my mother in the beginning of the covid-19 pandemic. But it was not available during that moment of emergency. It was a matter of health risk to go out for oxygen cylinders and also very expensive. On that critical moment, I heard about ‘Joy Bangla Oxygen Seba.’ Since then I have been in touch with their volunteers and they provide it free of cost within a few hours even at mid-night.
Akhtaruzzaman Sinbad, teacher of Fine Arts Faculty of Dhaka University said, my brother-in-law was infected with coronavirus in November. He was undergoing treatment at home. One night he suddenly had respiratory problems and needed immediate oxygen support. But we could not arrange oxygen cylinders even after contacting a few clinics. At one point, around 1.30 a.m. I called Sad Bin of Joy Bangla Oxygen Service. Unfortunately, they did not have any usable cylinders that day.
But they did not let me get frustrated. They went to Mirpur from Dhaka University and refilled the cylinder and delivered it to my brother's Eastern Mallika's house around 3.30 am. The next day, we needed oxygen support for another family member. They delivered another cylinder on that day as well. The teacher added that, many of us are keeping ourselves at a safe distance in this disaster. But they are doing a great work. They have been contributing a lot to reduce the suffering of many patients.
Sad Bin Kader said, under the direction of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from the beginning of covid-19, Bangladesh Chhatra League has stood by the people ignoring all risk. We have also tried to stand by the people with various welfare programs to implement the leader's instructions. If the trend continues, we believe that the dawn is not far away.
Professor Khan Abul Kalam Azad of Dhaka Medical College once told the media that, when the lung is damaged it loses power due to coronavirus infection. Afterwards, one cannot inhale enough oxygen from the air and supply it to the blood. When oxygen decreases in the blood, some important organs of the body become quickly useless. 95 percent of hospitalized patients need oxygen, he added.