House owners asking doctors to leave will face actions in Chattogram

The Chattogram district administration said they will take actions against the house owners if they ask physicians, nurses, health workers, mass media activists, ambulance drivers, and other relevant professionals to leave their rented homes amid the coronavirus outbreak.

The district's administration issued the directive for 15 upazilas and the metropolitan area.

Abu Hasan Siddique, additional deputy commissioner of the district, has been assigned to look into the matter.

If any victim lodges complaints about such issues, the landlords will be fined and jailed. Besides, other legal measures will be taken against them through mobile courts.

Abu Hasan Siddique told The Business Standard, "Recently, the administration has found that a couple of doctors have been harassed by their landlords as they were treating Covid-19 patients."

Although that particular problem has been fixed, the district administration has issued specific directives on Thursday to prevent the recurrence of such inhumane incidents, he added.

Everyone needs to be united to battle the coronavirus pandemic, said Abu Hasan adding, "Health workers and mass media activists are playing key roles. To ease their sufferings, the district administration has taken the decision."

They can also contact him through this number – 01733 334317, if they face any problem, he added.

"Upazila nirbahi officers, city corporations in the cities and the assistant commissioners (land) of six circles will help us to implement the decision," said the deputy commissioner.

Chattogram Metropolitan Police stands by doctors

Meanwhile, the Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) has stood by the doctors who are serving the Covid-19 patients.

If house owners ask the doctors to leave their rented house, the CMP will take necessary preventive measures.

A press release issued by the CMP reads that it is a moral duty to support the physicians and medical activists who are relentlessly serving the coronavirus affected patients.

"Recently, we have found that some of the house owners are not cooperating with the physicians and medical staff in terms of renting a house. Even they are forcing them [physicians] to vacate their rented houses which is entirely illegal and immoral," reads the statement.

The victims are asked to contact the hotline numbers: +8801400 400400 and +8801880 808080 numbers. The identity of the victim will be secured, adds the statement.