Nayeb-e-Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, notable doctor and former lawmaker Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher has issued the following statement on 19 April 2020 urging the concerned authorities to ensure proper safety and protection of the doctors, nurses and other health officials and staffs.

“Coronavirus infection is becoming severe across the country gradually. Already, the authority declared the entire Bangladesh at risk of the coronavirus pandemic. But to get rid of this situation, government’s preparation is very inadequate. Doctors, nurses are working without any protection. A popular doctor has died of coronavirus in recent times without receiving proper treatment and health protections.

The statistics, published in different dailies revealed, so far 106 doctors and 57 nurses became infected by coronavirus. We do not have the information about the infection of the general health workers yet. In comparison to other parts of the globe, the ratios of infected doctors are highest in Bangladesh. As such, the doctors and their families are passing days amid severe tension and worries. Coronavirus have been spread in 24 government and non-government hospitals nationwide. Only on Saturday, 6 doctors became infected by coronavirus in Sohrawardi hospital.

Though, government is claiming of having sufficient measures but the real picture is not satisfactory at all. Doctors are not attending their private chambers as they do not have due protective equipment. Resultantly, the general patients who are suffering from other diseases and seasonal flu, are being deprived from expected treatment. In particular, the women and children are suffering the most. If the government fails to take effective actions, the entire health sector may collapse any time.

Under the circumstances, I am calling upon the authorities concerned to ensure proper safety and protection for the doctors, nurses and other health officials and staffs.