Sajadul Islam, Ulipur (Kurigram)
Allegations of collecting illegal fee for testing corona samples were at Upazila Health Complex in Ulipur upazila of Kurigram.
People who come to test corona infection complained that even though the authorities made announcements about free corona test, a fee of Tk 100 to 200 is being collected from each patient at the health complex.
Later, when the news of collecting extra fee for corona test, spread in the area people having corona symptoms became reluctant to test their corona samples. As a result, many fear a rapid spread of Corona virus in the upazila now. The incidence of corona is increasing day by day in the upazila. Almost every household has corona symptoms like fever, runny nose and whooping cough. As a result, the fear of corona virus infection is evident in everyone's mind.
Due to the implementation of the lockdown, the income of the middle class and low-income people has stopped. Many people can't afford the corona test. Those who are struggling to get food are not getting tested even though they have corona symptoms. As a result, accurate information about the corona expansion in the upazila is remaining hidden.
Among the 9 upazilas of the district, the number of corona patients is increasing day by day in Ulipur upazila. According to the Upazila Health Complex, 265 samples were tested in the last one week (July 24 to July 29) in the upazila. Of these, 136 were found corona positive while, two people died of corona infection.
Abdul Aziz Sarkar, a resident of Daldalia village who came to test his corona sample said, “There was nothing to do even if he took money. There is no point in arguing with them, you have to give whatever you want. We are obliged to pay even if we ask for one thousand rupees.”
Bayzid and Ataur Rahman of Durgapur union of the upazila came to the government hospital for examination as their aunt and grandmother had corona symptoms. They have also been charged Tk 100 for testing each sample.
Rezaul Islam and Tajul Miah, who are in charge of corona examination at the Upazila Health Complex, denied the allegations of collecting extra fee from patients.
Dr Subhash Chandra Sarkar, Family Planning Officer at the Upazila Health Complex, said, “I myself am now in the Corona Positive. I earlier announced that Corona will be tested for free. Necessary action will be taken against those who have taken money in my absence upon receiving proper evidence.”
