Virus-hit Bangladesh will take time to return to normalcy: Experts

There are different opinions among health experts as to when coronavirus infections will reach the peak and how long this will be in Bangladesh.

Experts differed in their opinions after the authorities had reopened garment factories and shopping malls.

“Return to normal life may be delayed. Now we can’t say the situation will become normal from July,” said an expert preferring not to be named.

The management to handle coronavirus still remains weak and the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) is suffering from indecision to manage patients in the hospitals.

Speaking to Prothom Alo, IEDCR chief scientific officer SM Alamgir said, “We are learning like the whole world. We may make mistakes. It is easy to criticise the government.”

“Why people are crowding the shops? The message of personal protection has been sent to every person. But the personal protection depends on individuals,” he added.

Main problem

The prevention of coronavirus infection is to identify the infected persons. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has emphasized on this from the very beginning.

However, Bangladesh remains weak in this area. As many as 16,660 people have been infected with coronavirus as of Tuesday. And half of the cases are in Dhaka. There is a shortcoming in identifying those who came in contact with the coronavirus patients.

Indecision over hospitals

Many patients are unable to get admitted to hospitals as there are limited beds in selected hospitals for coronavirus treatment.

On the contrary, those, who are not infected with coronavirus, cannot take treatment at the hospitals. DGHS is unable to solve these problems.

Speaking to Prothom Alo, a youth from the capital’s Mohakhali area broke down in tears on Tuesday. The youth has been suffering from fever and throat sore for a week. After calling to the phone number provided by IEDCR, the youth failed to give his samples for coronavirus test.

Many sufferers have made similar allegations.

IEDCR has stopped collecting samples from homes.

Health expert Jamil Foysal said, “Problems for admission of patients will not be solved if coronavirus patients and others are not treated in same hospitals.”

DGHS additional director general Nasima Sultana said, “We have learnt that many hospitals in the world are treating coronavirus patients and others simultaneously and we will do the same.”

Risk increasing

Many health experts think the risk of infection has increased due to easing lockdown and reopening garments factories and shopping malls.

Health expert Abu Jamil Foysal said two matters increase the risk. On the one hand, returnees will help increase the infections if their quarantine is not maintained properly, people are not caring social distancing at kitchen markets and shops.

A top health expert said the coronavirus situation will lead to uncertainty if strict measures are not taken for garment sectors, shopping malls and returnees.

*This report, originally published in Prothom Alo's print edition, has been rewritten in English by Rabiul Islam.