M’singh volunteers step up for Covid-19 patients

At a time when the country's healthcare sector is feeling the heat of the coronavirus crisis, volunteering organisations and individuals are stepping up to fill gaps in the system left open by the deadly virus.

In Mymensingh, HELDS Foundation, a Phulpur-based volunteering organisation, is one such collective that's helping locals resist the virus.

Though its regular projects are limited to health, environment, and literacy sectors in Phulpur upazila, during the pandemic, the organisation has taken the initiative to run a 20-bed isolation centre at Mymensingh, set up three more in surrounding areas, and is now set to start a free oxygen service for critical Covid-19 patients of the district.

Tasfique Haque Nafew (22), secretary of the foundation, said they have received four cylinders from donors will soon get another 18.

To avail the service, patients can contact the foundation on one of their two phone numbers. "If a doctor recommends oxygen support, our volunteers will take the cylinders to the referred hospital," Nafew added.

The foundation set up its three-room isolation centre, called "Shanti Nagar", on June 22 at Phulpur Degree College for patients who cannot afford self-quarantine.

Mahmudul Hasan Shuvo, a factory worker, came to the facility on July fourth, a day after testing positive.

"I came here as I live in a one-room residence with my wife. The volunteers support me with necessary food and medicines," he said.

"We run the centre from contributions of our own administration. We have spent Tk 74,000 to arrange the 20-bed facility with bedding and four oxygen cylinders," said foundation president Abdullah Al Sayeem Lithu.

The organisation has extended its service to centres at Bhaluka Degree College in Mymensingh as well as Muktijuddha Complex in Mohanganj of Netrakona and at a school in Jamalpur sadar.

"These centres have 10 beds each now, but we plan to scale up to 20," said Jannatul Ferdous Swarna, one of the 100 volunteers who work at the centres by rotation.

The foundation aims to set-up a total of 500 isolation beds, including 50 in Phulpur, said volunteer Sabina Yeasmin Madhobi.

Doctors from Phulpur Upazila Health Complex will keep contact with the isolation centre round the clock, assured Dr Pranesh Chandra Pandit, residential medical officer of the hospital.

Praising the initiative, Phulpur UNO Nitesh Chndra Sarker said if such humanitarian initiatives are taken, it will reduce the damage of the virus.