Mushfiqur helps set up four sample collection booths in Bogura

With the coronavirus situation worsening in Bogura, national cricketing icon Mushfiqur Rahim helped set up four Covid-19  sample collection booths in the district today.

"The booths are financed by Mushfiqur and we are starting Covid-19 sample collections from today," said Samir Hossain Mishu, Bogura sadar upazila health and family planning officer during the inauguration programme.

Two under-19 cricketers, Touhid Hridoy and Tanzid Hasan Tamim, were present during the opening ceremony. Masudur Rahman Milon, secretary of the Bogura district sports association, inaugurated the booths around 3:30 pm today.

"Two of the sample collection booths were set up at the sadar upazila health complex. A separate booth has been set up at the same complex for the safety of the doctors who treat Covid-19 patients," Mishu informed.

"From the first moments of the pandemic, Mushfiqur has been helping us .When we were in shortage of PPE [personal protective equipment], he provided 200 sets of PPE for doctors and health staff at Bogura."

Photo: Mostafa Shabuj

Masudur Rahman Bappy, a close friend of Mushfiqur, told The Daily Star that a few days ago the wicketkeeper-batsman took responsibility of the educational expenses of an underprivileged student, who attained GPA-5 in the last SSC examination. The student, named Tairin Akter Tora, secured first position in the merit list of Bogura district.

"Tora's father, a fruit vendor, was unable to bear the expenses and hearing the news Mushfiqur helped her with Tk 20,000 so that she could buy uniform, books and get admitted to a college," Bappy said.

"Mushfiqur had also sent money after selling his bat to provide food to 350 families," Bappy added.