The frontline professionals who will be entitled to receive the discount against the corona-related medical services include journalists, doctors, nurses, health workers, journalists, police and government officials, as well as others working on the frontline, according to a press release of the hospital.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid Maleque Swapan officially inaugurated the hospital as the chief guest through a video conference.

After appreciating Sikder Group for its ‘pioneering role’ in the country’s healthcare sector, particularly in the treatment of heart disease, Zahid Maleque described this latest move as ‘a good initiative’ in light of the Corona crisis.

The 50-bed hospital has experienced doctors and nurses from home and abroad working with state-of-the-art equipment. In addition to a separate unit for sample collection and isolation wards, there are 21 new CCU and ICU beds.

With Sikder Group director Parveen Haque Sikder in the chair, the inauguration was also addressed by Director General of the Department of Health Dr. Abul Kalam Azad.

According to the press release, the group's director Ron Haque Sikder had a leading role in overhauling the hospital into a COVID-focused one, but was unable to attend the inauguration “as he was sick and undergoing treatment abroad.”

His efforts are even more noteworthy considering he was also trying to avoid arrest for at least a period while the hospital was being prepared, after Exim Bank authorities filed a case against Ron and his brother Dipu Haque Sikder on May 19, for allegedly torturing two top officials of the bank and shooting at them with a firearm over negotiations for a Tk 500-crore loan.

The two brothers reportedly fled the country on May 25, flying to Bangkok on an air ambulance.