The patients in Tangail's Mirzapur upazila have started getting free telemedicine services at the union parishad premises, thanks to the initiative of Kumudini Hospital.

The authorities of the charitable institution, founded by late philanthropist Ranada Prasad Saha, on Saturday launched the services as patients shy away from the hospital, fearing coronavirus infection.

Under the arrangement, doctors designated for different health problems will provide services at a union every day and all the 14 unions of the upazila will get the facility by rotation.

A patient with cardiac problems, Abdus Samad, 60, of Goraki village also got serious skin diseases while Samia Akter, a Class III student of Jogirkofa village was suffering from cold and fever but they did not go to hospital for taking treatment during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

Treatment seekers wait in queues for their turn at the medical camp. Photo: Collected

As telemedicine services were arranged at the medical camp at Latifpur union parishad building on Saturday, they went there and got medical help.

Many others in the area, including Amena Begum, Shahnaz Begum, Ismot Ara Sadek Dewan, Sabuj and Rifat were also happy to get the specially arranged treatment provided by specialist doctors from the hospital.

On Sunday, doctors arranged treatment for patients at Banail union.

Some 1500 to 2000 patients usually get treatment from the outdoor while 700 to 800 patients remain admitted at the 1050-bed hospital every day, said Animesh Bhoumik Liton, assistant general manager of Kumudini Hospital.

"Now the general patients are too afraid to come to the hospital due to coronavirus outbreak. Transport crisis during the lockdown is also a factor.

"Considering the problem of patients, especially pregnant women and serious patients who need regular treatment, the hospital authorities decided to reach the telemedicine services to the local patients and it has been arranged following rules set by the health directorate after the outbreak of Covid-19," he added.