The struggle to get tested

There is a long queue in front of the main entrance of Mugda General Hospital. Nobody knows when the gates will open and when they will be allowed to step inside the compound. They are from different age groups and have gathered at the hospital gate to get a PCR test. They are either showing symptoms of coronavirus, or they are accompanying the patient – who is probably unfit to make this miserable journey alone. But one thing every one of them have in common – they are not affluent and cannot get tested in private facilities. 

An elderly man aided by his relative is coming out of the coronavirus sample collection facility at Mugda Medical College and Hospital in Dhaka. Photo: Mumit M

So, they wait – sweating in the scorching heat, for the gateman to open the doors and announce their name. Some are standing, while those who are elderly or weak sat on stools or wheelchairs.

A members of Bangladesh Police waiting for his PCR test report at the Central Police Hospital in Rajarbagh in Dhaka. The report will ascertain if the law enforcer is infected with the novel coronavirus. Photo: Mumit M

Children were there too – too scared to run around, too weak to make noise. The entire ambience was marked by misery.  

A health worker inside a kiosk is collecting nasal swab from a potential patient. Photo: Mumit M/TBS

The situation is same in other government hospitals including Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) and Suhrawardy Hospital. The misery of people is clearly visible in each of the government-run Covid-19 testing centres. 

The long queue in front of the hospital gate has forced a man to sit on the footpath at the Fever Clinic of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University in Shahbagh. Photo: Mumit M

As of July 1, Bangladesh confirmed 1,49,258 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus. In addition, 1,888 people have died so far since the virus first hit the country in early March. The government had been doing free PCR tests, but an official announcement from the Health Service Division under the Health and Family Welfare Ministry recently stated that from June 29, the government would charge money for every PCR test.

A man brought his Covid-19 positive wife to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for admission. He first went to the coronavirus unit and was told to go to the burn unit. He obliged and was again sent to the coronavirus unit. The couple waited for over forty minutes before they could finally get a bed at the facility. Photo: Salahuddin Ahmed

According to the circular of the ministry, the decision was taken in a bid to cut unnecessary tests.