Rangpur day labourer wins battle against coronavirus

Shah Alam, the first Covid-19 patent in Bogura, recovered on Friday and returned home.

He was suffering from the respiratory problem while going to Rangpur from Dhaka on March 29 on a truck to avoid the severity of Covid-19. Being panicked, other passengers in the truck left him at Mahasthangarh. Later, locals rescued him and admit him to Shibganj Upazila Health Complex.

His wife Shajeda Begum said she heard he had breathing problem since his birth. 

After his condition deteriorated, Shibganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer Alamgir Kabir sent him to the cardiac unit of Shahid Ziaur Rahman Medical College. The hospital authorities suspected him to be Covid-19 positive and sent him to Mohammad Ali Hospital, specialised for Covid-19 patients. 

"I was about to die. I had given up hope for life but Allah saved me. The doctors here are very helpful. They have looked after me all the time. I want to thank the doctors and nurses," said Shah Alam.

Mohammad Ali Hospital Residential Medical Officer Dr Shafique Amin Kazol said, "The day after he was admitted here, we came to know he was Covid-19 positive. We have tried our best to cure him and within 4-5 days his condition started improving. Antibody inside his body worked well and he improved quickly." 

While sharing his experience in the hospital, Shah Alam said his condition was really bad in the first five days, and he could not eat anything in the first two to three days. 

He said he got scared initially but after his wife came, he became strong mentally. Besides, doctors and nurses took care of him properly. 

Physically challenged Shah Alam has been staying in Dhaka for 14-15 years and earned his living by doing petty jobs and taking help from people. 

He said though he felt scared in the first few days doctors and nurses encouraged him to boost his confidence. 

After being infected, he did not have any symptoms like fever, throat sore or diarrhoea.

From the beginning, Shajeda was not afraid at all of taking care of her physically challenged husband.

"I thank the doctors and nurses for their service. Now, I want my villagers to accept us so that we can lead a normal life," said Shajeda. 

Dr Kazol said he completely recovered now and could lead a normal life as he did before. Covid-19 is nothing but other diseases. He urged all not to stigmatise Shah Alam.