N’ganj health dept gears up for Covid fight
Mushtaq Ahmed Shawon :
With the recent rise in infections caused by a new sub-variant of the coronavirus in the country, the Narayanganj District Health Department has taken precautionary measures in accordance with emergency guidelines issued by the Directorate General of Health Services. This was confirmed on Thursday by the district’s Civil Surgeon, Dr. A.F.M. Musiur Rahman.
He stated that Narayanganj is a major industrial hub, home to numerous factories including garments, jute, and cement industries. Hundreds of thousands of people work in these factories, many of whom come from different parts of the country in search of employment. Some even live here with their families. Especially after Eid-ul-Adha, many people are returning to Narayanganj from other districts, which has increased the risk of Covid transmission.
Considering this situation, the district health department has already undertaken extensive preparations. According to Dr. Musiur Rahman, measures are in place not only in the city but also at the upazila (sub-district) level to fully tackle a potential outbreak.
He also emphasized key health guidelines for preventing Covid regularly washing hands with soap, wearing masks to cover the nose and mouth, maintaining at least 3 feet of distance from infected individuals, and avoiding touching the eyes, nose, and mouth with unclean hands. Additionally, he urged everyone to cover their face with a tissue or cloth while coughing or sneezing.
To strengthen the district’s ability to respond, the health department has made arrangements for patient care, established health desks, and stocked essential protective equipment such as masks, gloves, and PPE (personal protective equipment) for frontline workers.
Dr. Musiur Rahman further mentioned that the 300-bed Narayanganj Hospital is equipped with a PCR machine for Covid testing. “We plan to supply testing kits within a couple of days and activate the machines. All testing will be done at our hospital,” he said.
He added that the hospital has been designated as a Covid-dedicated facility, as it was during the previous waves of the pandemic. General patients will continue to be admitted as usual. “There is no need to panic. If any symptoms appear, consult a doctor immediately, isolate yourself, wear a mask, eat nutritious food, and avoid crowded places. If we follow these steps, I believe we can successfully prevent the spread of Covid. Narayanganj is fully prepared from our end,” he assured.
Moreover, instructions have been given to promote health awareness and disseminate preventive guidelines among the public to help curb the spread of the virus.