Doctors to make house calls to Covid patients’ homes

Amid the gloomy atmosphere of the coronavirus pandemic wreaking havoc across the country, a medical house call service for Covid-19 patients was inaugurated recently in Bagerhat Sadar upazila.

Bagerhat Deputy Commissioner ANM Faizul Haque launched a hotline (017 3032 4793) for the service -- an initiative of Sheikh Tonmoy, member of parliament in Bagerhat-2 constituency -- on Bagerhat Sadar Hospital premises on April 14.

A total of four teams of physicians led by Md Mirajul Karim, resident medical officer of Bagerhat Sadar Hospital, and a motor vehicle will be on standby for deployment to any home in the upazila.

Once a call is made on the number, a team of doctors will rush to the patient's house and provide necessary medical advice and medications to the patient. If hospitalisation is required, they will also bring the patient to the hospital with them.    

Following the inauguration of the service, KM Humayun Kabir, civil surgeon of Bagerhat, said with restrictions imposed on people's movement by the government to contain the virus, it has become difficult for patients to visit the hospital. 

Considering the situation, the house call service has been introduced so healthcare services can be delivered to the doorsteps of the people.

As an added advantage, the spread of the disease will be curbed, as Covid patients will get necessary treatment at their own homes, he added. 

Thanks to the initiative taken by Sheikh Tonmoy, MP, a similar service was launched in the upazila last year, during the first wave of the outbreak, said Sardar Nasir Uddin, chairman of Bagerhat Sadar Upazila Parishad.

He also hoped that such services would be introduced in all upazilas of the district in phases.

Bagerhat Deputy Commissioner ANM Faizul Haque during his brief speech said doctors will now make house calls whenever they get a distress call on the number -- a great relief for the people of Bagerhat Sadar.   

Superintendent of Police in Bagerhat KM Ariful Haque, Deputy Director of Local Government Dev Prasad Paul, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Bagerhat Khandaker Rizaul Karim, Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mohammad Moshabberul Islam, Sadar Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Pradip Bakshi, Resident Medical Officer of Bagerhat Sadar Hospital Mirajul Karim and officials of health services were present during the launching of the service.