Joypurhat cops provide free oxygen for the needy

With Covid-19 infections surging in bordering districts in the country, Joypurhat police have launched an 'Oxygen Bank' to stand by Covid patients facing financial difficulties.

Once such patient starts showing acute respiratory problems, the Oxygen Bank will supply necessary oxygen in cylinders to the patient free of charge.

Masum Ahamed Bhuiyan, superintendent of police (SP) in Joypurhat, told The Daily Star that as the contraction of the disease has been on the rise in the district at an alarming rate, they decided to stand by the underprivileged in their desperate hours.

Driven by higher demands due to an increase in the number of Covid patients in the district, prices of oxygen-filled cylinders have been rising as well.

Since the underprivileged population will not be able to afford oxygen at steep prices, members of the police felt the need to come up with a solution.

In that light, they started an oxygen bank for them with 12 cylinders initially. They will increase number of cylinders based on demand, as necessary, the SP said.

The Oxygen Bank has been operating at the office of the SP in Joypurhat town.

Just by making a phone call, anyone can avail the service, which is open 24/7 and "our police personnel will deliver the oxygen cylinder to the patient's home." 

"Since the launching of the Oxygen Bank over a week ago, we have been getting good responses from people," SP Masum said, adding that the members of police even responded to calls made in early Friday morning and delivered two oxygen cylinders to houses of two different patients in Joypurhat town.

A Covid patient in the town said that after he started having breathing difficulties over a week ago, his family members scoured the entire town but failed to arrange an oxygen cylinder for him at an affordable price. 

But after they called the office of the Joypurhat SP over phone, the police delivered an oxygen cylinder to his home for free.

According to the civil surgeon's office in Joypurhat, at least 36 new cases were reported in the district on last Friday. The daily rate of contraction had remained between 22 and 24 percent.