NIHR Global Health Research Unit on Respiratory Health (RESPIRE)

BPCRS launch guide to support the re-opening of primary care practices during COVID-19

The Bangladesh Primary Care Respiratory Society (BPCRS) have created a pocket guide to inform the safe re-opening of private primary care practices in Bangladesh during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The guide was written by RESPIRE Partner and PhD student, Dr GM Monsur Habib, RESPIRE Fellow Dr Md. Nazim Uzzaman and Dr SM Rowshan Alam, with editorial feedback from Professor Hilary Pinnock, RESPIRE Programme 2 (Chronic Respiratory Diseases) co-lead, and Siân Williams, RESPIRE Platform I (Stakeholder Engagement and Governance) co-lead.

Private clinics to support an overburdened health care system

Approximately 80% of doctors in Bangladesh work both in public and private health care services, often seeing patients privately after their routine job at hospitals or clinics. Although there are pros and cons to this practice, the private sector has contributed enormously in addressing the unmet needs of patients in such a densely populated country.

Following the ‘Stay at Home’ orders of the Bangladeshi Government, many private primary care services shut their doors to help prevent the spread of infection. If managed safely, their re-opening could help to support the heavily burdened health care system during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Guidance on how to re-open safely

Given the potential risk of exposure to the virus, measures must be put in place before opening to ensure the safety of patients, clinicians, health care workers and associated staff.

The pocket guide from BPCRS compiles evidence-based guidance for health care professionals in Bangladesh on how to re-open private practices safely during the COVID-19 pandemic.

View the pocket guide

View and download the pocket guide below

 

Read the news story on the BPCRS website