Bangladesh is a much populated country and most of the people live under the poverty level. To change their economic condition people work different countries all over the world most of them Saudi Arabia, Italy, France, United Arab Emirates, China Japan etc. After the affect of Covid-19 most of the people came back Bangladesh for safety. For that reason most Covid-19 patients were identified who came from abroad. As they mingled in all over the country, moreover in Bangladesh, one of the largest refugee camps is in Cox’s Bazar where 1.2 million Rohingya People are living. They are suffering from psychosocial conditions and physical illnesses that spread easily in overcrowded, unhygienic camps. Lack of knowledge in personal hygiene and low level of literacy with such a high concentration of people, any disease outbreak has the potential to kill thousands. So the awareness program needs to be carryout all over the country.
Present Situation
Since the novel Corona virus emerged in 2019, COVID-19 has now reached 203 countries and territories globally affecting all walks of life. The new corona virus has forced countries around the world to adopt measures such as flight bans, mandatory lockdowns and social distancing to prevent the pandemic from spreading. A- PAD Bangladesh, Community Initiative Society (CIS) and DCH Trust are primary focus on Preventative Measures, a special focus on Health and Livelihood Support to Vulnerable Populations around the country.
COVID-19 was confirmed to have spread to Bangladesh on March 2020. The first three known cases were reported by the country’s Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) on 08 March 2020. As of 2 April 2020, the Government of Bangladesh has confirmed total of 56 confirmed cases, 25 recoveries, and 6 deaths in the country.
Activity of A-PAD Bangladesh, Community Initiative Society (CIS) and DCH Trust against COVID-19
DCH Trust’s 500 bedded Medical College Hospital open for 24/7 for all kind of services and since lock down 980 outdoor patients and average 250 indoor patients was treated. CIS is operating different awareness campaign including hanging stand banner and put it different areas where people mostly gather. Besides this CIS and A-Pad Bangladesh put hand washing zone different divisions at different places like hospital and informal settlement areas so that basic hygiene can be maintained.
CIS and A-PAD Bangladesh with the help of its networking partners also distributing 1,00,000 face masks and hand sanitizer to the vulnerable community. Besides they also distributed PPE (Personal Protective Equipments) to health Personals. All DCHT sub centers including all in Rohingya camp are providing 24/7 health care services as before.
However, the low income people, especially the daily earners, have been hit hard due to low presence of people across the city amid corona virus pandemic. The day laborers, rickshaw pullers, small shop owners, hawkers, beggars and other low income people have been going through a tough ride amid decline in income and high prices of essential items. Especially, consider the slums in Dhaka and Chattagram where millions of people live. So this vulnerable groups need more social awareness and teach them about necessity of social distance and personal hygiene maintain.
Key Activities of DCH Trust, CIS and A-PAD Bangladesh
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Raise awareness campaign against corona virus at the grassroots and the capital specially among the marginalized people.
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Promote content on proper hand washing and respiratory hygiene kit like hand sanitizers, face masks, and spray disinfectants in capital city and Rohingya Camps aiming to fight the spread of corona virus.
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Provide basic facilities to underprivileged communities from basic needs to hygiene materials (i.e. essential food pack, health kits, etc.) to socially ignored vulnerable groups.
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Provide PPE support to health personnel.
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Rising funds for fighting COVID-19 from different donor agencies and personal.
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Set up water taps and basins along with hand soaps for pedestrians and the public, especially in virus prone area or the area of low income groups.
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Distribute free masks to disable people, disadvantaged children and run campaigns in schools on how to wash hands and maintain cleanliness to keep the disease away.
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Distribute some Non-Food Items (NFI) and food items for the people and service provider at institutional quarantine.
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All 3000 medical and NGO staffs trained on Corona preventive measures.
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Creating public awareness by distributing leaflets and hanging banners to be more cleaned and stay home and stay safe.
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The Medical doctors, internees, nursing students and local 200 community volunteers working for community education in Dhaka and outside Dhaka 30 Disaster Risk Management center.(National Platform Centre).
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Awareness Campaign in 26 garments industries, 15 Hospitals & 150 private companies.
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Awareness program done in Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar.
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CIS and A-PAD Bangladesh help to establish corona virus isolation room in different hospital for corona patient.
