For testing
Institutions involved in sample collection for coronavirus tests will continue their activities during the Eid holidays, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Both testing at booths and testing from home will continue uninterrupted.
Sample collection from home services are still limited and not being provided by all designated testing facilities, but people who can afford the service do prefer it. The whole procedure, from setting up an appointment to receiving results, takes up to 48 hours.
As per the latest government directives, a patient must pay Tk200 for their Covid-19 test if they provide samples at booths or at hospitals, and Tk500 if samples are collected from home.
For private health service providers, the fee for Covid-19 testing is Tk3,500 if samples are collected from booths or hospitals, and a maximum of Tk4,500 is charged for the sample collection from home service.
Payments can be made via the app of financial service provider Nagad, debit card, or online banking.
After the sample is tested, results are sent through SMS and email.
Those who wish to get tested for Covid-19 can also visit booths installed by Brac or the fever clinic of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University. However, an online appointment is mandatory for sample collection at BSMMU and Brac booths.
The appointment forms are available on the BSMMU and Brac websites.
The government has already cancelled leave for public servants involved in health services during the Eid holidays.
DGHS spokesperson Dr Ayesha Akther told Dhaka Tribune the government keeps track of organizations that are testing for Covid-19, but it does not have a list of the organizations that are providing sample collection from home services.
“We have hotline numbers where people can call to schedule a time for sample collection service from home. However, the state-run health service providers are currently prioritizing people who are too sick to travel, pregnant women, elderly people, people with disabilities, and children,” she added.
Currently, a total of 81 testing facilities are conducting Covid-19 tests.
Hospital facilities
The government has so far prepared 15,240 general beds and 550 Intensive Care Unit beds across Bangladesh to provide treatment to Covid-19 patients.
As of Friday morning, 3,797 patients are admitted in general beds and 331 patients are admitted in ICU beds.
A total of 472 ventilators and 12,352 oxygen cylinders have been prepared for treatment of Covid-19 positive patients.
Ambulance services
For ambulance services, one must call 999 – the National Emergency Service- to get an ambulance from the nearest location.
Furthermore, Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence are offering low cost ambulance services for patients.
For an ambulance from the Fire Service, service seekers may call 9555555. The service will cost Tk100 for the first eight kilometres in metropolitan areas and ambulances with oxygen services will cost Tk600.
Many private hospitals also provide ambulance services for patients.
Hotlines
The government is providing telephone-based health services through various hotlines.
Patients may call 333 (The National Call Centre), 16263 (Shasthya Batayon) or 10655 (IEDCR) for consultations.
Expert consultations are available at 09611677777.
For details of all hotlines, please visit: https://corona.gov.bd/call_center
For any other coronavirus related information, service seekers may log into: https://corona.gov.bd