DIFE launches mobile health service for all workers

FT ONLINE

Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishment (DIFE) has started providing health related treatment service through tele-communication to all workers amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Some 11 DIFE doctors (assistant inspector general) will render the treatment service to help prevent the spread of coronavirus and raise awareness among workers, according to a DIFE office notice issued on Sunday. 

They will ensure treatment service during the public holiday from their respective workstations to both formal and informal workers from 10 am to 2.0 pm daily.

Workers can receive coronavirus related health treatment by communicating with the doctors using their mobile phones during the mentioned time, it added.

If any worker is found with corona symptoms, they will be verbally advised about to dos and, if needed, DIFE doctors will prescribe treatment through mobile messages.

Workers can get the treatment service free of cost as they do not need to pay doctors' fees. They will be charged the amount for making the call according to the rate of mobile operators.  

The government on April 16 declared the country risky due to the rapid spread and contamination of the Covid-19, the notice added.

Millions of workers are employed in the country’s formal including export-oriented readymade garment sector and informal sectors.

Taking the current coronavirus situation into account, the DIFE under labour ministry has instructed all its 11 doctors with the ranks of assistant inspector general to provide health related treatment service to the workers and their families to help reduce the health risks.

They are also instructed to issue prescriptions to the workers’ respective mobile numbers in required cases.

The DIFE doctors Nazmun Nahar from its head office can be reached at 01797011919, from Dhaka Dipa Dutta at 01714266843, Lutfun Nahar at 01972138530 and Tahmina Hossain at 01711240390.

Bithi Biswas from Gazipur will provide health service at 01847129493, Rajib Chandra Dus from Narayanganj at 01722909122 and Jakia Rezwana Lotus at 01787386361, Nabin Kumar Hawlader from Barishal at 01936493427, Biswajit Roy from Chattogram at 01712383773, Md Soyaib Hossain from Khulna at 01749599797 and Md Shahidul Islam from Sylhet at 01914300917.