Bangladeshi worker Raju Sarker, critically ill with Covid-19 in Singapore, will soon be moved to a community hospital.
Raju, also known as Case 42, tested Covid-19 positive in February. He spent two months in the intensive care unit (ICU) and had to be put on a ventilator. In mid-April, he was transferred to the general ward when his condition improved, reports Channel News Asia (CNA).
In a video posted on the Migrant Workers' Centre (MWC) Facebook page on Thursday (May 21), Raju thanked those who had supported him and nursed him back to health.
"To the Singapore government who has treated me for free, the doctors and the nurses in the hospital who worked tirelessly and brought me back to health: I thank you," Raju said.
He also thanked his company and MWC for supporting his family, and asked the migrant community in Singapore to abide by Covid-19 regulations, the report added.
"My request to all my migrant worker brothers - do observe the regulations set by the Government," said the 39 year old.
In his video message, Raju also said: "If you fall sick, the government will help you. Just like when I fell sick, the government stood by me. If you abide by the regulations, do not be afraid, the government will help and stand by you."
Raju's case drew public attention in March after it was reported that his wife had given birth to a baby boy in Bangladesh while he was in ICU, the report added.
A donation drive was set up for his wife, with members of the public donating items like diapers, formula milk, and toys.
Raju's ordeal began on February 1, when he reported the onset of symptoms. He sought treatment at a general practitioner’s clinic two days later, before going to Changi General Hospital (CGH) on February 5.
On February 7, he was admitted to CGH after a follow-up appointment at Bedok Polyclinic. He tested positive for Covid-19 on February 8, and was transferred to the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID).
The Bangladesh High Commission told CNA on February 20, that he was in a critical condition, having already suffered from respiratory and kidney problems, as well as pneumonia, before being diagnosed with Covid-19.
"Please pray for me. I am okay now," Raju said in the video posted on Thursday.
"I want to continue to live a healthy and happy life with my wife and child, so please pray for me. Thank you everyone."
National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) secretary-general Ng Chee Meng called Raju's recovery journey "nothing short of amazing."
"We have good news from the Migrant Workers Centre that he will soon be moved into a community hospital that focuses on rehabilitative care so that he can continue to recuperate," said Ng in a Facebook post on Thursday.
"Raju’s recovery journey is nothing short of amazing and I believe that this will encourage our healthcare and frontline workers to continue doing their best for Singapore," he added.
