Reza Mahmud
Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA) said that 113 doctors have died of Covid-19 and with symptoms of the disease so far. But one family of them only has got compensations.
The BMA data also shows that about 8,135 health workers have been contaminated with the virus across the country.
About 2,881 physicians, 1973 nurses and 3,281 other health workers had been infected in last several months.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on April 7 announced incentives for the health workers as well other front liners of the state.
But the health workers did not get any compensations or monetary incentives from the government.
Doctors from different hospitals said that the bureaucrats and other officials were given compensations and incentives, but the health workers as well doctors or their families are yet to get that.
Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA) Secretary General Dr. Ehteshamul Huq Choudhury told The New Nation, “We will say that the inactions of the health ministry is liable for not receiving compensations by the families of the deceased physicians who died from the Covid-19 in the pandemic.”
“We learned that about 44 front liners have been given compensations so far. Among them there are 38 Police and RAB personnel, four from administrations and one is former Director of the Central Medical Stores Depot. But only one doctor got the compensations though they are the highest fatality among the physicians,” Dr. Ehteshamul Huq said.
Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA) said that 113 doctors have died of Covid-19 and with symptoms of the disease so far. But one family of them only has got compensations.
The BMA data also shows that about 8,135 health workers have been contaminated with the virus across the country.
About 2,881 physicians, 1973 nurses and 3,281 other health workers had been infected in last several months.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on April 7 announced incentives for the health workers as well other front liners of the state.
But the health workers did not get any compensations or monetary incentives from the government.
Doctors from different hospitals said that the bureaucrats and other officials were given compensations and incentives, but the health workers as well doctors or their families are yet to get that.
Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA) Secretary General Dr. Ehteshamul Huq Choudhury told The New Nation, “We will say that the inactions of the health ministry is liable for not receiving compensations by the families of the deceased physicians who died from the Covid-19 in the pandemic.”
“We learned that about 44 front liners have been given compensations so far. Among them there are 38 Police and RAB personnel, four from administrations and one is former Director of the Central Medical Stores Depot. But only one doctor got the compensations though they are the highest fatality among the physicians,” Dr. Ehteshamul Huq said.
The BMA Secretary General said, “The finance ministry told us that they had released the money soon after the Prime
Minister’s announcement for doctors incentives and compensations but the health ministry is yet to prepare a list. That’s why the finance ministry could not distribute the money.”
A reliable source of the finance ministry said the money is in health ministry now.
When contacted, Abdul Mannan, Health Secretary said, “The task is ongoing. It will be done.”
Bangladesh Doctors’ Foundation (BDF) Chairman Dr Shahed Rafi Pavel told The New Nation, “The families of the dead doctors are in sufferings for losing the earning hands. In most cases the doctor who died was the only earning member of the family.”
Many from deceased physicians’ families have called us to do something about releasing the compensation money. The health ministry should give heed and gear up the task and hand over the money soon.
As per a circular released on April 23 the finance ministry said doctors, nurses and other government service holders who are working, as front liners to combat with Covid-19 will get compensation if contaminated or die with the virus.
According to the circular Tk 10 lakh will be paid to the contaminated one from Grade one to nine, and Tk 50 lakh in case of death. Grade 10 to 14 will get Tk 7,50,000 if contaminates and Tk 37,50,000 if dies.
The officials from grade 15 to 20 will get Tk five lakh in case of infections and Tk 25 lakh in case of fatality.
A reliable source of the finance ministry said the money is in health ministry now.
When contacted, Abdul Mannan, Health Secretary said, “The task is ongoing. It will be done.”
Bangladesh Doctors’ Foundation (BDF) Chairman Dr Shahed Rafi Pavel told The New Nation, “The families of the dead doctors are in sufferings for losing the earning hands. In most cases the doctor who died was the only earning member of the family.”
Many from deceased physicians’ families have called us to do something about releasing the compensation money. The health ministry should give heed and gear up the task and hand over the money soon.
As per a circular released on April 23 the finance ministry said doctors, nurses and other government service holders who are working, as front liners to combat with Covid-19 will get compensation if contaminated or die with the virus.
According to the circular Tk 10 lakh will be paid to the contaminated one from Grade one to nine, and Tk 50 lakh in case of death. Grade 10 to 14 will get Tk 7,50,000 if contaminates and Tk 37,50,000 if dies.
The officials from grade 15 to 20 will get Tk five lakh in case of infections and Tk 25 lakh in case of fatality.
