Gonoshasthaya launches mobile Covid treatment team
Although medicines will be given free, patients will have to pay for tests
Gonoshasthaya Kendra has launched mobile medical teams in Dhaka who will reach out to Covid-19 patients at home with portable diagnostic tools and free medicines.
Former Vice-Chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) Prof Nazrul Islam inaugurated the service at Gonoshasthaya Nagar Hospital in Dhaka's Dhanmondi on Thursday afternoon.
Speaking at the programme, Gonoshasthaya Kendra Founder and Trustee, Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury, said not all patients with Covid-19 have to come to the hospital as only ten out of 100 infected need hospital admission. This mobile medical service is to ensure people get proper treatment at home.
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Initially the service will be available in Dhanmondi, Kalabagan, Old Dhaka and Mirpur from 9am to 8pm. However, information on medicare will be available over the phone round the clock.
Upon receiving a phone call, a mobile medical team will arrive at the home of the service seeker. Doctors will divide patients into four categories depending on the severity of their Covid-19 symptoms.
The categories are – mild, tolerable, tolerable with comorbidity diseases, and acute. Following categorization, low risk patients will be treated at home, and serious patients will be assisted for hospital admission.
The medical team will also collect medical samples for Covid-19 and other tests. If the patient comes up with a positive result, the team will reach out to him with medicines and advice on medication.
Chest X-rays, ECGs, and other tests will be conducted by portable machines. With ICU equipped ambulances, each team will have doctors, nurses, pathology technologists, and physiotherapists.
Although the medicines will be given free of cost, the patient will have to pay for tests.
One family member of the infected person will be trained about virus treatment and primary medication so that he or she can take care of the patient.
Prof Dr Nazrul Islam said, "This initiative of Gonoshasthaya is very timely. People now need such facilities more than ever as they are getting infected and not getting proper treatment. If we can reach out and provide the service, then it will be of great benefit to them."
Nagorik Oikko convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna, and mobile medical team coordinator, Professor Shawkat Arman, were present at the inauguration.
