A mother’s battle to get her children tested for coronavirus

Nishu Akter was concerned as her banker husband had tested positive for Covid-19 and was undergoing treatment in his house. 

But, she was left in a state of helplessness when her two babies, aged 26 months and 13 months respectively, started to suffer from cough and fever – two most common symptoms of the novel coronavirus – two days after her husband was diagnosed with the viral disease. 

"I fear the babies might have been infected with the virus as they were staying close with my husband until he started to show the symptoms", she said. 

It was not possible for the poor lady to carry her two children to the hospital at a time for giving their samples for tests, as the elder baby is yet to learn how to walk properly.

"It was also not possible for me to bring one infant to the hospital leaving the other at home because there is no one in my house who can take care of the baby", she added.

Left with no other options, Nishu started calling the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR)'s hotline number two days later. 

"I was able to reach an official after dialing more than 10 times. I informed the receiver of my difficulties and requested him to collect samples of the babies from my house in Mugda," she said, adding, "But the receiver expressed their inability to accept my request and suggested me to go to a hospital. 

"We don't have the facility to test patients going to their home", Nishu said quoting the IEDCR official.

"After that conversation, I could not reach them in last three days," she added. 

She said they had to wait more than five hours in the hospital when her husband went to give his samples last week.

"Is it possible for a woman to wait for five hours, almost the entire time standing, with two children in lap?" asked the helpless.

This correspondent also called the IEDCR hotline number several times, but all the calls went unanswered.

Contacted, IEDCR Director Professor Meerjady Sabrina Flora declined to make any comment saying that she had to attend a meeting and cut the call.

Meanwhile, epidemiologist Dr Habibullah Ruskin said, "Then number of coronavirus tests should be doubled from that at present. 

"Considering the present situation, the IEDCR should also start door-to-door testing facilities for persons with disabilities and families who are unable to come to the hospital." 

There should be a dedicated team to provide this service, he added.

"As of now, detecting infected patients and isolating them is crucial to reduce transmissions. We made mistakes earlier and now it is going out of control. So, conducting more tests and diagnosing patients rapidly are very important at present," he added.

He warned that the situation might start to turn worse from the next week, which might go out of control. 

Therefore, the IEDCR and other government functionaries concerned have to be more proactive to fight the virus, he said, adding, "We have to take lessons from other countries."