Struggling with pregnancy and Covid-19

Kamrun Nahar, a 24-year-old housewife, is due for her second childbirth on May 14.

Her husband Zahidur Rahman, 35, and her six-year-old son are both very excited to welcome this new family member.

And until recently, things were going well and the middle-class family of old Dhaka's Bangshal area were quite happy. They had made a booking at the nearby Bongshal Maternity Clinic for the birth. Kamrun was supposed to be admitted on May 12. Her doctors prescribed a Caesarean section (C-section).

But then Kamrun fell ill, contracting a fever and losing her appetite from the last week of April. Her family then took her to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital for a coronavirus test on May 6.

The test was positive.

"How can we bear such a disaster at a risky moment like this?" asked her brother Md Mainuddin, a private jobholder.

"After learning that my sister has Covid-19, some neighbours are looking at us as if we are criminals," he added.

Mainuddin said the patient was currently doing okay; she just does not have the senses of smell and taste, and is suffering from fever.

He added that the local police station had helped them a lot.

"They sent us personal protective equipment and food, and also ensured our safety. We should thank the deputy commissioner of Lalbagh Division of DMP."

Shaheen Fakir, officer in-charge of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Bangshal Police Station, told The Business Standard they were trying very hard to get the patient treatment.

"We already got the family in touch with doctors. Hopefully, she can be admitted to the nearest hospital," he added.