Launches must keep first aid kits for travellers

Despite the fact that it is mandatory for the launch operators to keep first aid kits inside vessels, they are neglecting this, which poses problems for the launch passengers. According to a report yesterday, out of 22 launches investigated only five were found to have provisions for first aid.

Still, even this small number of five launches with first aid kits suffers from a shortage of essential medicines. Medications that are kept for treatment in the moment of emergency are also found to be date-expired. Therefore, the reality is that launches that ply through river routes for a long time leave their passengers to chances while they are on board and cut off from land.
Even a small health emergency can be very serious or fatal if the problem is not attended to at the right time. Launch passengers have been complaining for long about the negligence of launch staff in providing first aid. It has been reported that common ailments such as abdominal pain, chest pain, headaches, and gastric issues often go unattended due to the lack of a proper healthcare system on the launches.

Contrary to this scenario, the guidelines of the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) specifically mention that every launch will have to keep a first aid kit on board to ensure passengers safety. Here the BIWTA also has to share the blame because as the overseeing authority it should have ensured that launches are keeping first aid. Its responsibility does not end just by merely issuing instructions and it must have taken punitive measures for those launches that do not properly follow instructions.

In advanced countries, authorities would have kept a doctor for hundreds of passengers travelling through water routes. In Bangladesh, at least a health technician could be present to address health issues arising in the time of journey. It is also not acceptable that as there is the Padma Bridge now, launches would close their critical care unit (CCU) for patients travelling through launches. The BIWTA authorities are advised to ensure that launches must have adequate first aid kits for their passengers.