Those who employed or worked with a Bangladeshi man in critical condition in Singapore have donated much-needed funds to help his family during this difficult period.
A sum of S$10,000 (US$7,150) is on its way to help the man’s family with urgent financial needs while their 39-year-old provider remains at the National Center for Infectious Diseases, the Migrant Workers’ Center said today. The NGO contributed to the pool of funds along with the man’s employer and the operator of the dormitory where he lives.
“Soon after he was hospitalised, the [center] has contacted his next-of-kin (through his employer) and has been providing them with updates on his condition. We also understand that it has been a distressing period of time for his family as he is the sole breadwinner. We hope that the timely updates could offer them some comfort and solace during this period of time,” it wrote online this morning.
It added that it was in the process of transferring the money to the family.
The man is Singapore’s 42nd patient and had tested positive for COVID-19 on Feb. 8. He was also the first case linked to a construction site at 10 Seletar Aerospace Heights, where four others have contracted the virus.
Before patient No. 42 was hospitalized, he went to work and slept at The Leo workers dormitory in Kaki Bukit. He also visited the 24-hour Mustafa Centre mall in Little India.
He sought treatment multiple times before eventually being admitted to the National Center for Infectious Diseases, where patients with the virus are being treated in isolation.
According to the Health Ministry, he fell sick Feb. 1 and visited a clinic Feb. 3 followed by a trip to Changi General Hospital on Feb. 5. Two days later, he went to the Bedok Polyclinic for a follow-up appointment and was taken back to the hospital, where he was admitted to intensive care.
The man was already suffering from respiratory, kidney problems and pneumonia before being infected, the Bangladesh High Commission told reporters Thursday.
The Singapore government will bear his medical expenses while on the island.
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