Ensure PPE for all physicians, nurses

Like many other countries in the world, Bangladesh is facing multi-faceted problems due to the corona outbreak. Detecting people who have already been attacked by the virus and quarantining people who have returned from abroad are two key issues, but the authorities have fallen short. But the hospitals do not have necessary equipment to test the patients or provide them with the required service.

When we say protection we mean ensuring that for everyone -- from physicians to nurses to the cleaners. We have seen that many physicians and hospital staff had tested positive across the globe while a number of them died in China, Iran and Italy. From 18 March, 5 physicians and 13 hospital staff have died in Italy while 2500 have been attacked by the virus.

In our country, the risk is high for both the physicians and the hospital staff. Usually most of the hospitals treat patients more than the capacity and many even have to stay at the floor or the balcony as they get their treatment while they are accompanied by their friends and relatives.

We need to keep in mind that thousands of patients are going to the hospitals everyday and the physicians and nurses are treating them. We are not sure if any of the patients have coronavirus and if the hospital staffs are getting affected. We do not even have the kits to test and know who have the virus. The number of physicians and nurses in our country is also very few compared to the requirement.

In this situation, a physician contacting coronavirus means many patients not getting his service. They do not only treat coronavirus patients, but they also attend to patients with other complications as well. In a nutshell, the entire healthcare system depends on their wellbeing.

But we have not seen the authorities take it seriously. Although the government always said necessary measures had been taken, we see the hospitals are yet to get personal protection equipment. Not only the doctors and hospital staff where coronavirus patients are being treated, every single hospital in the country should get the PPE to ensure the maximum protection.