DHAKA, April 13, 2020 (BSS) -Amid COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus) humanitarian
crisis in Bangladesh, Friendship, an organisation which has been working in
country’s heath sector since 1992, has come forward to give the medical
servicesto the vulnerable people.
Friendship stands in solidarity with #stayhome, said Friendship executive
director Runa Khan here today, adding social distancing must be followed
strictlywith ensuring testof en masse.
Runa Khan also opined that preparation should be taken to handle isolation
of cases and then treatment.
“The reality is that the health sector is under tremendous pressure, which
will continue to increase. This sector, both private and public, needs to
work together to win this race. Our ship hospitals, our land hospitals,
static clinics and health posts, is continuing their works and they will
continue to operate for the people, who need our services.”
She continued: “We are urging those, who do not have urgent need, to stay
at home, for their own safety. Hospitals and medical centres need to get
prepared and care for those, who need special and life-saving attention.”
Friendship is also making people aware of the measures prescribed by the
World Health Organization, in their working areas and installing hand washing
facilities to contain coronavirus spread.
A total of 1,228 volunteers are working throughout the day to inspire
people to follow the government instructions to stay safe from Covid19 and
distributing leaflets. Friendship has trained 7,000 local students on WHO
approved hand washing technic and they are demonstrating this in the
different working areas.
As the Covid19 cases are increasing, patients may find it more and more
difficult to reach doctors and medical help. Friendship has set up a 24/7
Medical Emergency helpline for advice.
Friendship has also developed a system to make masks for the poor. Thus,
over 50,000 triple-layered cotton masks are under production by the
communities to be distributed free to the communities. .
“Bangladesh is a country of people with unusual strength, courage and
resilience. We face natural disasters every year… We have faced even human
disaster with the 1 million Rohingya influx, we have dealt with it with
strength and dignity and ability because our people are strong and capable. I
have no doubt that if we all work together, the government, private sectors
and with help from the International community, Bangladesh will win the
battle against Covid19,” Runa Khan concluded.