Jalpaiguri, 12th May: The COVID crisis in North Bengal, like the rest of the country, has taken a formidable form. There are healthcare shortages everywhere, of testing capacity, medicines, ambulance services, hospital beds, oxygen support, even cremation or burial facilities. The increasing number of COVID cases is overwhelming the hospitals. Even the healthcare workers say they are exhausted and feel helpless.
Amidst such an alarming situation, an elderly man from Belakoba was recently admitted to the Jalpaiguri COVID Hospital after testing positive. Allegedly, he was deprived of proper food at the hospital and was terrified after seeing the situation there. Fearing death, he ran away from the hospital.
Fortunately, two social activists spotted him on the way and questioned him. They did not take much time to figure out that the man was COVID infected. They then took him to a health centre in Pandapara, where he will be taken care of. The elderly man will be handed over to the district health department, as per the social workers.
The hospital authorities said that they will speak on the matter after proper investigation.