In memory of Latifur Rahman and Faraaz: Free medical camps in Satkhira and Moulvibazar

Free medical camps have been launched in Satkhira and Moulvibazar in memory of the late Latifur Rahman, chairman of Transcom Group, and his grandson, Faraaz Ayaaz Hossain.

Business icon Latifur died in 2020 while Faraaz was brutally killed along with 19 other hostages in a militant attack at a Dhaka café on July 1 in 2016.

Eskayef Pharmaceuticals Ltd organised the day-long medical camps in the districts, said Mohammad Rezaul Karim, senior regional sales manager of the pharmaceuticals.

In Satkhira, the camp began around 9:30am at the Diabetes and General Hospital located in Karim Super Market in Assasuni upazila.

Several hundreds of patients have already gathered at the hospital since around 8:30am.

By noon, 210 patients had registered and one hundred of them received free prescriptions and medicines.

The camp will continue until 4:00pm, and they expected to treat and provide medicines to around 450 to 500 patients by then, Rezaul said.

Sharmin Sultan, 28, from Budhhata village, said she has been suffering from gynaecological issues for a long time.

She came here when she heard about the treatment that it will be offered at the medical camp.

Mostak Ahmed from Budhhata village said he came to the free camp to receive treatment for allergies.

In Moulvibazar, around 400 people with health complications got a chance to consult specialised doctors free of cost at the health camp set up at Kaliti Tea garden hospital premises in Kulaura upazila of Moulvibazar.

Most of the patients are tea workers and medicines have been provided to them free of cost.

Since morning, there were long queues of people at the camp where the doctors provided their services since 10:00am.

Md Shohidul Islam, senior field manager at the Eskayef Pharmaceuticals Ltd in Kulaura, said, Dr Mostafa Mahmud Imran Talukder and Dr Shekh Shamima Jerin have been seeing the patients.

Mina Pashi, 55, said, "I have been living with different types of disease for many years, however due to financial difficulties, I was never able to seek proper treatment. It's been a constant worry for me and my family."

"Today, for the first time, I've got the opportunity to consult a qualified doctor without any cost. Not only I was given medical advice but also I received the necessary medicines free. This support means a lot to me. It has given me hope that I can now manage my condition and live a healthier life," she added.

Sondha Robidas, 44, a tea worker, said, "I've been struggling with breathing problems due to asthma, and it's been getting worse over time. Unfortunately, I couldn't afford to visit a doctor or buy the medicines I needed. But today, I have been able to get medical check up and received inhalers and other medicines for free."

She added, "I feel deeply grateful for this initiative -- it has brought much-needed relief and reassurance during a very difficult time in my life."

Our Moulvibazar and Satkhira correspondents contributed to this report