No patient can be refused treatment: Minister
Newly appointed doctors are delighted to get an opportunity to serve the people than being afraid of contracting Covid-19
No patient should be sent back from hospitals without treatment no matter if they are infected with coronavirus or not. It will not be tolerated if any doctor of government hospitals practises the opposite.
Health Minister Zahid Maleque yesterday issued the warning while addressing the newly appointed doctors at an orientation programme in the capital.
The programme was held at the Bangladesh College of Physicians and Surgeons (BCPS) auditorium in Mohakhali.
"Do not refer any patient to other hospitals without providing treatment to them. People of all classes should get the same treatment and facilities," he told the doctors.
"Our infection rate is still lower compared to that of developed countries. And we do not want to let this virus spread any further," he added.
"You have been recruited to deal with the virus," the minister said, with a belief that the joining of fresh doctors will raise the country's capacity to fight the virus.
The government has already set up 40 Covid-19 testing labs while 15 more are coming within the shortest possible time, he also said.
In the wake of the Covid-19 in the country, around 2,000 new doctors have recently been appointed from the waiting list of 39th Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS). Bangladesh Public Service Commission could not recommend them in the first batch due to insufficient cadre posts.
Meanwhile, newly appointed doctors said they are more delighted to get an opportunity to serve the humanity than being afraid of contracting coronavirus.
"As we are doctors, we should not fear anything," said Noman who has been attached to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
"We are lucky that we have become a fighter and taken a big responsibility from the very first day of our joining," he added.
Another doctor, Masudur Rahman who is attached to Mohanagar General Hospital, said, "Actually my dream has come true today. I am much excited and there is no question of fear."
Mahmuda Akter, attached to Mugda General Hospital, said, "If we properly abide by the health safety rules for Covid-19, there is nothing to fear about."
On April 25, a letter was sent to the Ministry of Public Administration for the recruitment of 2,000 doctors and 6,000 nurses.
The government on May 4 issued a circular appointing the doctors. Then on Tuesday last, they joined their respective workplaces.
Besides, a big number of senior staff nurses have been appointed for the same purpose.