Christians account for less than half a percent of the population in predominantly Muslim country Bangladesh. Despite being a minority group, Christians in Bangladesh play a key role in the country’s fight against Covid-19.
About 280 Christian doctors and 4,000 nurses in Bangladesh are in the front line in the Covid-19 response, according to Dr. Edward Pallab Rozario, vice-president of the Christian Medical Association of Bangladesh (CMAB).
In an interview with UCA News, Dr. Rozario said, “These doctors and nurses have taken great risks in serving Covid-19 patients and some of them and their family members have been infected. Yet they were not disheartened and returned to work after recovering.”
Christians might be a small minority but they are a significant minority, which they have demonstrated again during this pandemic. —Mithushilak Murmu, Christian writer
He added that some doctors offer online and mobile services to patients, not only giving medical advice, but emotional support as well.
There are 13 Christian hospitals in Bangladesh where some have made the necessary changes to accommodate Covid-19 patients. Dr. Rozario disclosed that, “Our hospitals don’t have the capacity to serve Covid-19 patients, but they follow government guidelines.”
Christian Mission Hospital is one which dedicated itself in the battle against the deadly virus. The administrators of the hospital handed the reins over to the Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital to serve people infected with the SARS-like disease.
Lutheran Aid to Medicine in Bangladesh (LAMB) Hospital set up an intensive care unit with 10 beds just for Covid-19 patients. Christian Hospital in Chandraghona in Rangamati district operates a 24/7 flu corner and special observation room since March.
“Christians might be a small minority but they are a significant minority, which they have demonstrated again during this pandemic. They have dedicated whatever resources they have to be a part of the national battle,” said prominent Christian writer Mithushilak Murmu.
Meanwhile, Christian charity organization, Open Doors has provided food items, including rice, oil, sugar, and lentils, to almost 1,100 families in Bangladesh affected by the pandemic.
Also, the Catholic Church launched a charity fund to offer financial and medical support the victims of Coronavirus. The Corona Charity Fund aims to help 1,500 families in the capital city of Dhaka. “It is our Christian responsibility to respond to this difficult situation through our sincere prayer, sacrifices and financial support,” said Cardinal Patrick D’Rozario in a letter sent to news agency, Agenzia Fides.