Community clinic: 2,000 healthcare workers have no PPE | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Thursday
June 12, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
THURSDAY, JUNE 12, 2025
Community clinic: 2,000 healthcare workers have no PPE

Covid-19 in Bangladesh

Sifayet Ulllah
21 April, 2020, 08:40 pm
Last modified: 21 April, 2020, 09:07 pm

Related News

  • Government exempts duty on PPE import
  • Nagad hands over personal protection materials to RAB
  • World Bank fund of $7.5m for PPE producers
  • Protective gear makers to get fund support up to $5 lakh
  • Godrej gives personal protection goods to DMP

Community clinic: 2,000 healthcare workers have no PPE

'We can build hospitals quickly but not nurses and doctors' - Dr Susanto Barua, Janasastha Odhikar Rokkha Committee secretary

Sifayet Ulllah
21 April, 2020, 08:40 pm
Last modified: 21 April, 2020, 09:07 pm
FILE PHOTO: Level 1 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is seen at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, as the number of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases grow around the world, in London, Britain April 1, 2020. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez
FILE PHOTO: Level 1 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is seen at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, as the number of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases grow around the world, in London, Britain April 1, 2020. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez

Ten patients were waiting in a very small room in South Fatehpur Community Clinic in Hathazari upazila in Chattogram. None of them had a mask. They did not pay heed to maintaining social distancing rules. In another room, Nasima Akhter, a community health care provider, was examining patients without using personal protective equipment (PPE).

Along with this clinic, almost 2,000 health professionals in 525 community clinics in Chattogram are risking their lives by working without PPE while treating patients amid the Covid-19 outbreak. Every day, as many as 7,000-8,000 patients – with a sore throat, cold, fever, and cough – visit these clinics, however, no PPE has been sent for the healthcare workers.

As more than 170 health workers have already tested Covid-19 positive in the country, these doctors and other professionals fear both healthcare workers and patients will contract Covid-19.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

Nasima Akhter said, "The masks provided by the government are of low quality. They have one layer whereas they should have three layers. We have not received any PPE. Local patients are also not aware. When we ensure social distancing, they complain we do not provide good treatment."

"Everyday health professionals test positive but we have to work to save our jobs," she added.

According to the Bangladesh Doctors' Foundation, 250 health professionals – 170 doctors and 80 nurses – have tested positive for Covid-19, so far, in the country. Yet, their safety has not been ensured.

Though other hospitals have fewer patients due to Covid-19, the number of patients with fever, cold and cough has increased recently at these clinics. Many patients come to these clinics after receiving no treatment at hospitals or private chambers.

Selim Uddin, a staff member of Chattogram University, received treatment at a clinic in Methol union. He said he did not see any safety measures used there. Not all patients washed their hands, and it was risky to go to the clinic.

Hathazari upazila health and family planning officer Dr Abu Mohammad Imtiaz said, "There are 35 community clinics in Hathazari. We have received only 60 PPEs for the upazila. No PPE has been sent for community clinic health workers."

Many returnee expatriates in the rural areas in the district roam around, violating home quarantine rules and posing a threat of spreading Covid-19. In the district, many people in Satkania, Sitakund, Patiya, and Mirsharai have been tested positive.

No PPE has been sent to any of the 40 community clinics in Satkania though 11 patients have already been tested positive.

Satkania upazila health and family planning officer Dr Abdul Mazid Osmani said, "Satkania is under lockdown. Community clinics are treating patients. Healthcare workers have been given masks and gloves but no PPE. We have received 100 PPEs so far but these can be used only once. As soon as we get PPE for community clinics, we will distribute it."

Many have expressed their dissatisfaction over PPE not being provided to healthcare workers. Janasastha Odhikar Rokkha Committee secretary Dr Susanto Barua said, "Most of the people come to community clinics at present as doctors do not see patients and people cannot go to hospitals due to the lockdown. So, PPE is essential for health workers in the clinics."

"Rural people are less aware [about Covid-19] and pose more of a threat of infection to the healthcare workers. We can build hospitals quickly but not nurses and doctors. So, their safety must be ensured," he added.

According to the Chattogram civil surgeon's office, 10,655 PPEs have been distributed and 23,000 PPEs are in stock.

Civil surgeon Dr Sheikh Fazle Rabbi said, "We have not yet received any PPE for community healthcare workers. We have already sent our requisition for PPE and when we receive it, we will distribute it."

So far, 39 patients have tested Covid-19 positive, of them five died. Chattogram General Hospital and Bangladesh Institute of Tropical and Infectious Disease are treating Covid-19 patients.

Top News

PPE / healthcare worker

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Saifuzzaman Chowdhury. Photo: Collected
    UK crime agency now freezes assets of ex-land minister Saifuzzaman: AJ
  • Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus speaks at the Chatham House in London on 11 June 2025. Photo: CA Press Wing
    No desire to be part of next elected govt: CA Yunus
  • File photo of BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury. Photo: Collected
    Khasru flies to London ahead of Yunus-Tarique meeting

MOST VIEWED

  • Illustration: Duniya Jahan/ TBS
    Forget Katy Perry, here’s Bangladesh’s Ruthba Yasmin shooting for the moon
  • A file photo of Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Ahsan H Mansur. Photo: Collected
    'I have no relation with this': Ahsan Mansur debunks Joy’s allegations over daughter’s Dubai flat
  • Faiz Ahmad Tayeb. Photo: BSS
    Import duty on raw materials for e-bikes, lithium batteries reduced from 80% to 1% in some cases: Faiz Taiyeb
  • File photo of ex-prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy. Photo: Collected
    Joy spends Eid with Hasina in India: Indian media
  • Mercantile Bank withholds dividend amid Tk1,700cr provision shortfall
    Mercantile Bank withholds dividend amid Tk1,700cr provision shortfall
  • Shakil Ahmed. Photo: Collected
    DU student allegedly hangs himself following threats over old derogatory comment about Prophet on Facebook

Related News

  • Government exempts duty on PPE import
  • Nagad hands over personal protection materials to RAB
  • World Bank fund of $7.5m for PPE producers
  • Protective gear makers to get fund support up to $5 lakh
  • Godrej gives personal protection goods to DMP

Features

Among pet birds in the country, lovebirds are the most common, and they are also the most numerous in the haat. Photo: Junayet Rashel

Where feathers meet fortune: How a small pigeon stall became Dhaka’s premiere bird market

7h | Panorama
Illustration: Duniya Jahan/ TBS

Forget Katy Perry, here’s Bangladesh’s Ruthba Yasmin shooting for the moon

1d | Features
File photo of Eid holidaymakers returning to the capital from their country homes/Rajib Dhar

Dhaka: The city we never want to return to, but always do

2d | Features
Photo collage shows political posters in Bagerhat. Photos: Jannatul Naym Pieal

From Sheikh Dynasty to sibling rivalry: Bagerhat signals a turning tide in local politics

4d | Bangladesh

More Videos from TBS

Why is Omicron XBB more contagious?

Why is Omicron XBB more contagious?

4h | TBS Stories
What did Dr. Yunus say at the Chatham House Dialogue in London?

What did Dr. Yunus say at the Chatham House Dialogue in London?

5h | TBS Today
News of The Day, 11 JUNE 2025

News of The Day, 11 JUNE 2025

6h | TBS News of the day
WB predicts worst decade for global growth since 60s

WB predicts worst decade for global growth since 60s

7h | TBS Stories
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net