Cultural org reaches oxygen to Covid patients in M’singh
At a time when the country's healthcare sector is feeling the heat of the coronavirus crisis, organisations and individuals are stepping up to fill gaps in the system left open by the deadly virus.In Mymensingh, theatre troupe Bahurupi Natya Sangstha is one such cultural organisation that is providing free oxygen service to critical coronavirus patients at their home for free.
The initiative was launched on July 19.
"We bought three oxygen cylinders and other necessary equipment at a cost of Tk 60,000. Our members arranged the fund on their own," said Shahadat Hossain Khan Hilu, secretary of Bahurupi. "We have a plan to expand our service if more fund can be ensured," said the 70-year-old.
The volunteers let people know about the service through their Facebook accounts. To avail the service, patients' family members call the given numbers and volunteers take the cylinders to their home, said Hilu.
Ali Yusuf, a volunteer, said, "When we bring cylinders to patients' residences, they arrange technicians to operate those."
This correspondent also spoke to some service seekers, who expressed their gratitude towards Bahurupi for this initiative.
Dr Pradip Chandra Kar, a retired resident physician of Community Based Medical College Hospital in Mymensingh, said the initiative was laudable. He hoped others will also come forward to help each other amid the pandemic situation.
Not just Bahurupi Natya Sangstha, HELDS Foundation, a Phulpur-based voluntary organisation, is also providing oxygen support to patients free of charge.
Though its projects are limited to health, environment, and literacy sectors, during the pandemic, it set up a 20-bed isolation centre -- Shanti Nagar -- on Phulpur Degree College premises on June 22.
Recently, they started the free oxygen service for critical Covid-19 patients, said Tasfique Haque Nafew, secretary of the foundation. "We have provided services to 11 critical Covid-19 patients at home in Phulpur and Mymensingh Sadar upazila in the last two weeks," said the 22-year-old . "We have 18 oxygen cylinders; six of them remain ready for use at a time," said Nafew.
As per doctors' recommendations, volunteers take patients from their home to the centre, said Nafew.
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