COVID-19 pandemic, challenges, and opportunities for neurorehabilitation in Bangladesh: A narrative review

Abstract

COVID-19 pandemic challenged the health-care system globally. It intensified the existing burden of rehabilitation of neurological patients. That adverse impact has been more profound in developing countries. This is an exploratory narrative review conducted during May 1 to July 31, 2020 to reflect on the COVID-19 impacts and how to address the challenges of rehabilitation services in Bangladesh. Nonsystematic review methods were used, and to some-extent, the Preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis statements were followed for this review. Bangladesh is a Lower–Middle-Income Country currently facing multiple challenges with more than 16 million people with disability. The country has world's sixth highest density of population and currently further burdened with the largest refugee camp of the world. It has serious shortage of health-care workers at different levels making COVID-19 preparedness and mitigation difficult. The neurorehabilitation services faced serious challenges. There is no database or registry for stroke, spinal cord injury, or traumatic brain injury. The rehabilitation teamwork is facing daunting challenge at the height of COVID-19. Despite shortage of work force, funding, infrastructures, poor awareness, and difficult professional relationship within the rehabilitation team, neurorehabilitation services are gradually developing in Bangladesh.