Editorial
Eid holidays and medicare
Contingency arrangements should be in place
Everyone is entitled to holidays, even those who are involved in providing medicare to patients in hospitals. On religious holidays, it is understandable that doctors, nurses and everyone else involved with ensuring the welfare of patients in hospitals and clinics will look forward to celebrating the occasions like everyone else. And yet the emergencies need to be attended to, something which the doctors themselves remain aware of. Also, slack in routine care should be avoided.
Hospitals in the capital, however, are suddenly experiencing a lower number of patients than they normally do because a number of doctors and nurses have decided to celebrate Eid away from their workplaces. A number of patients have been released from the hospitals, where they have been undergoing treatment, and told to come back after the holidays. In one instance, a man whose leg was amputated a few days ago, has been let go. This is a serious example of unprofessional conduct on the part of the hospital authorities, especially because the man's wounds are yet raw and because he cannot come by any remedial measures should he have problems in his village, where he has gone.
We are informed by hospital authorities with a fair degree of regularity that emergency facilities are always there to deal with sudden and serious cases. The truth has been something else. There is hardly anyone to be found in the emergency departments once the holidays begin. As for the general wards, patients have already pointed out that it is rare for them to have a sight of doctors making the rounds in the overall holiday atmosphere.
Such a situation will not do. Taking care of public health is a responsible undertaking, which is why proper, foolproof measures must be in place for doctors and nurses to look into the cases of patients in the hospitals during holidays. Like many other professions, medical care is a twenty-four hour job. The authorities at the various hospitals must, on such occasions as holidays, devise schedules that will ensure the continued treatment of patients. It is surprising, indeed amazing, to hear of patients being sent home because medical personnel will be away during the Eid vacations. Let there be a proper roster of attendance during holidays by recourse to rotation and let it be strictly monitored.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. 
Related News
An alarming report on children’s exposure to climate risks
19 June 2026, 19:07 PM
Editorial
Why is safe water inaccessible for millions despite rising spending?
19 June 2026, 08:00 AM
Editorial
BB must confront bad loans’ true scale
18 June 2026, 18:38 PM
Editorial
Dolphin deaths must be investigated
18 June 2026, 08:00 AM
Editorial
Weak policing fuelling rise in crimes
17 June 2026, 18:18 PM
Editorial
Comments