The coronavirus pandemic has already taken a severe turn in Bangladesh, with both the daily infection and death cases hitting new high every day. The total number of deaths has already gone past 10,000 and the rate of infection has risen to more than 21 per cent. Thousands of new patients are being identified with the virus every day. As the number of patients in the hospital increases, so does the pressure on the medical system. The tendency of rising infection is undoubtedly worrying. Therefore, the emphasis needs to be put on infection prevention.
However, it is also important to save the lives of emergency patients. Therefore, it is necessary to pay special attention to increase the capacity and efficiency of the medical system and improve the overall health management. In this case, it needs to be ensured that all the manpower of hospitals, including doctors and health workers, are protected against the coronavirus. But it is disappointing that nobody seems to have a special attention to this aspect. The health division does not have an account of how many doctors, nurses and health workers have died of Covid-19 so far. The Bangladesh Medical Association, a professional body of doctors, is keeping an account. They say 141 doctors have died thus far due to Covid-19 whereas the Platform of Medical and Dental Society says 189 physicians have died so far. But no one has any information about the actual number of doctors who have suffered or are suffering from Covid-19.
The risk of health workers is now a bigger concern around the world. Although it is possible to build a hospital quickly, it is not possible to create health workers overnight. The World Health Organisation last year said if health workers are at risk, everyone will be at risk. Infection can be prevented if their protection is ensured. They should be given the opportunity to work in a blameless environment. Appropriate working hours including holidays should be maintained in their daily work. They also need mental health protection. If health workers are provided with appropriate and adequate protective equipment, it is possible to prevent infection among them.
The protection system for our doctors against coronavirus remains visibly weak. Not only physicians who treat Covid-19 patients but also those who treat all other patients are rendering their duties amid the risk of Covid-19 infection. This is because when asymptomatic Covid-19 patients seek medical attention for various health problems, they may pose risk of infecting the doctors concerned. All medical centres in both public and private sectors need to ensure protection against coronavirus for physicians and all other relevant manpower engaged in the treatment of all types of Covid-19 and non-Covid-19 patients. Otherwise, the second wave of the pandemic may lead to deterioration in the medical system due to the pressure of additional patients. As a result, the number of deaths due to lack of treatment will increase.
Moreover, some countries in the world have decorated their doctors and health workers with the status of national heroes and made special arrangements for their safe staying, dining and travelling. In this country, too, doctors, in their full knowledge, are going to the nearest of the deadliest virus. They are taking risks. So, they deserve respect and necessary facilities.
