Amdadul Haque
The number of infection and deaths by coronavirus is increasing every day in the country. People are not following lockdown even after authorities declared entire Bangladesh as at risk. Without urgent need, many are seen wandering outside their house. The number of test centers is much less than the actual need, as such, the risk of spread of coronavirus disease is increasing day by day.
Meanwhile, experts urged to expand the coronavirus detection test centers in the country on an urgent basis. At the same time, tests will be done in some private hospitals having PCR machines. And community clinics will have to collect samples from house to house and examine samples at nearby medical hospitals.
The World Health Organization focuses on six things to do in the fight against the coronavirus. It shows that Bangladesh is also preparing in that line. Bangladesh is the highest in terms of mortality in Southeast Asia and Bangladesh is far behind in detecting coronavirus. Chairman of the Department of Virology of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dr Saifullah told media that the coronavirus infection has spread at the community level. That is the fourth stage of infection in Bangladesh. Currently, 30 percent of people in the country are carrying coronavirus.
He said that if anybody has sneezing, cough and fever, he should stay in the house and if someone has breathing problems, he must go for check. He said that the IEDCR thought they could handle it alone, and no one else could test it. But there are 600 microbiologists across the country and there is similar number of pathologists. They are experienced in doing coronavirus test.
These are also one of the causes of transmission at the community level. These conditions have to be overcome. He also demanded to start the examination at the private medical college hospitals. Dhaka Medical College Hospital Principal Dr Khan Muhammad Abul Kalam Azad said, “Lockdown is currently underway in 54 districts of the country. But people defy lockdown. Curfew has to be imposed in 64 districts. People have to stay home. If you have sneezing, cough and sore throat you should go for check.”
He said information should not be concealed. But many corona patients are increasing the risk by hiding information. Recently, some patients came to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Ibrahim Cardiac Hospital and Mitford Hospital for treatment of other diseases despite being infected with coronavirus. Because of this, the doctors, nurses and health workers had to go to quarantine.
Vice-Chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Dr Kanak Kanti Barua said, “There was some problems with coronavirus detection test. All types of departments are being opened at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University. But this university was not given importance at first. If the kit was given in advance, it would be possible to do many tests daily from here.”
He said, “The tests have been started even though it was late. However the kit was recently supplied. When we asked for kit, a ministry official said, what would you do with them? This is the attitude of health department officials.”
Director General of the Department of Health Dr Abul Kalam Azad said that 54 districts have already been locked down due to coronavirus situation. We have 50 thousand kits. The scope of the test is being extended everywhere. He advised everyone to maintain social distance as well as adhere to cleanliness.
