“I have got a new life after recovering from Covid-19. And it has been possible only because of our Chairman Rick Haque Sikder. At his instruction, ZH Sikder Women's Medical College and Hospital offered me world-class medical treatment to ensure my recovery.”
Bangladesh Post Editor-in-Chief Sharif Shahab Uddin made the observation while speaking at a reception he was accorded by his colleagues at the newspaper office on Tuesday on his resuming work after recovery from the coronavirus.
He said he considers himself the luckiest Covid-19 survivor as he has recovered from the deadly disease despite having various health complications.
“When I got infected with coronavirus at the age of 65 and was facing five types of health problems – pneumonia, chronic asthma, lung congestion, high blood sugar and hypertension – it was clear to all that I was in a risky condition,” he said.
The editor-in-chief thanked Sikder Group Chairman Mr Zainul Haque Sikder, a business baron of the country, for establishing the medical college and hospital with state-of-the-art facilities which is offering world-class treatment.
“I would also like to thank the Chairman of Bangladesh Post, Mr. Rick Haque Sikder, for considering all my health hazards seriously and showing me deep sympathy like a family member,” he said.
Sharif Shahab Uddin said, “The chairman was so sympathetic that he sent several technical persons [from Sikder Medical] to my house the next day for collecting my samples. When I tested Covid-19 positive, I immediately got admitted to Sikder Medical.
“The duty doctors, nurses and technicians took me to CCU and started treatment immediately. They were deployed as though in a war against the pandemic to save my life.”
He said that after four days of non-stop treatment, they took him to the VIP cabin where he was offered real VIP treatment.
“There I underwent treatment for around 10 days which ensured my total recovery. A medical board was formed which was monitoring and analyzing my health condition twice a day. Their timely measures helped my physical condition to improve fast,” he added.
The editor-in-chief said each day different tests were done on him based on which doctors provided him the best of their services. “Their main objective was to make me completely alright. Whatever I feel now is that they were successful. I think I got a new life only because of our Chairman Rick Haque Sikder,” he further said.
Highlighting the services Z H Sikder Women's Medical College & Hospital is offering, Sharif Shahab Uddin said the medical institution is playing a pioneer role in the country’s healthcare sector, particularly in the treatment of heart disease. When coronavirus spread across Bangladesh, it commenced operation as a COVID-19-dedicated hospital, he added.
Sikder Medical has on the staff experienced doctors and nurses from home and abroad. In addition to a separate unit for sample collection and isolation wards, there are 21 new CCU and ICU beds, PCR labs, ventilators, nebuliser machines, cardiac monitors, portable digital X-ray machines, CT scan, ECG, echo and MRI machines, cabins and modern ward amenities. The arrangements combined at one place have made the hospital trustworthy and different from others in the country.
Executive Editor Shiabur Rahman moderated the reception while Deputy Editor ASM A Khaleque, Joint News Editor Durjoy Roy, Chief Reporter SM Mizanur Rahman, Special Correspondent Nurul Islam Hasib and Chief Photojournalist Kazi Borhanuddin spoke on the occasion.
Shiabur Rahman highlighted the editor-in-chief’s love for his colleagues by saying that he regularly enquired about them even when he was struggling for his own life.
“I was really scared when he tested Covid-19 positive. From the hospital, he guided us how to continue work. It gives me the courage to stay positive. His return and recovery from Covid- 19 is a lesson for us.”
ASM A Khaleque said, “We’re very happy that our editor-in-chief has returned by conquering coronavirus. Everyone thought his age would be an obstacle to his recovery. But as I knew him since long ago as a brave man, I was confident that he would recover.”
Durjoy Roy said, “The days when our editor-in-chief was in hospital we were like orphans. As he has now returned, we are confident that we will attain more success under his leadership. His inspiration will help us fight the disease in the event we are affected.”