COVID-19 Physician safety equipment produced and distributed by the Faculty of Fine Art, University of Dhaka
COVID-19
Physician safety equipment produced and distributed by the Faculty of Fine Art, University of Dhaka
When Covid 19 began to spread outside China, I received a text from Engineer Mr.Mainul Abedin, the youngest son of our Faculty founder Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin, stated “our garment industry can produce safety dresses for the doctors and nurses”. I immediately forwarded the message to my friend and senior vice president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Mr.Mashiul Azam Sajal, who also responded immediately, “If the doctors’ guidance is available, I can make it”.
After getting Sajal’s response, I contacted two of our well-wisher doctors, who are well known teachers of Bangladesh’s most prestigious medical University, BSMMU. They met with their vice chancellor and pro-vice chancellor and formed a supervision committee.
Under the guidance of this committee, we were able to prepare the clothes by 23rd March and P.P.E by 25th March. Due to being prepared in accordance with the guideline of the World Health Organization (WHO), D.G. Health of the government of Bangladesh gave us approval by 26th March. But the big challenge was how to raise 15,000 US dollars for the fabric needed to make more than 3,000 pieces of P.P.E gown.
I created a WhatsApp group of all the teachers of our institution and posted a letter requesting everyone to donate for the cause. Mr.Mainul Abedin, Artist Professor Mohammad Eunus and Artist Kazi Ghiyasuddin were the very first donor who donated a good amount of money for this purpose. Surprisingly we got much more than the amount of money we needed. Then the doctors also requested us to make face shield; since that too is not available in this country. They sent me some references of doctors wearing face shields. I made face shields of many designs by looking at those pictures. During trial, the doctors assured me that one of the face shields was perfect. Due to the lockdown, most of the shops were closed and none of the basic materials were available. Also, due to social distancing most of the people were at home for which we did not have sufficient helping hands.
Most of the students have already left the halls of our university and gone home, even the teachers and office staves were not available. With just two ex-students, I started making face shields. Seeing this situation, a proposal came from Bangabandhu Medical University to hold a workshop with their doctors. The workshop was very effective. The news media started publishing the news of our workshop and self-funded P.P.E making initiative. As the news spread, various hospitals and medical centers across the country started asking us for support.
So far the support we have given to a number of Medical Institutes, hospitals and clinics of Bangladesh.
Physician safety equipment produced and distributed by the Faculty of Fine Art, University of Dhaka has been sent to these hospitals/health centres and institutions from all over the country-
1) Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka.
2) BIRDEM,Dhaka.
3) Salimullah Medical College and Mitford Hospital, Dhaka
4)National Heart Foundation, Mirpur, Dhaka.
5)Gastro Liver Institute Hospital, Mohakhali, Dhaka.
6)Dhaka University Medical Center.
7)Health and Hope Hospital, Dhaka.
8) Narayanganj City Corporation Medical Team.
9)Khulna Zilla Corona Treatment Committee, Khulna.
10) Rajshahi Devision Corona Treatment Committee, Rajshahi.
11) Chapainawabganj Corona Treatment Committee, Chapainawabganj.
12)Chittagong Medical College.
13)Chittagong General Hospital.
14)Bangladesh Institute of Tropical and Infection Disease, Chittagong.
15)Sylhet Division Department of Health and Family Planning, Sylhet.
16)Jaipur Hut District Hospital.
17) Jaipurhat Sadar Upazila Maternity Hospital.
18) Thakurgaon District Hospital.
19)Mother and Child Hospital, Rangpur.
20)Domar Upazila health complex, Neelphamari.
21) Dimla Upazila health complex, Neelphamari.
22)Mithapukur Upazila Medical Hospital, Rangpur.
23) Tangail Sadar Upazila Medical Center.
24)Sripur Upazila Health Complex, Gazipur.
25)Barisal Medicalcollege.
26)Mr.Iqbalur Rahim MP, honorable Whip of National Parliament( to distribute some medical centre of Dinajpur).
27)Singair Upazila health complex, Manikganj.
28)Nandail Upazila health complex, Mymensingh.
29) Nandail Diabetic Hospital, Mymensingh.
Thanks and Regards,
Professor Nisar Hossain
Dean
Faculty of Fine Art
University of Dhaka.