Covid Vaccine: BNP demands army’s role in its purchase, distribution

The BNP has demanded that the army and relevant organisations be given the responsibility to procure the Covid-19 vaccine and preserve and distribute it.

Members of the BNP standing committee, the highest policymaking body of the party, at a meeting on Sunday made the demand, said a press release yesterday.

"There is an apprehension that the activities regarding the vaccine procurement can be hampered due to the incompetence of the health ministry. The BNP standing committee thinks people won't be benefited if a pragmatic plan on the collection, preservation and distribution of the vaccine is not adopted. Instead, there is a huge scope for corruption in this process," the media release said.

The meeting said it is not possible for the corruption-riddled health ministry and the relevant offices to properly do the huge job relating to the vaccine.  "The Armed Forces and other agencies concerned should be given this job as some developed countries have engaged army personnel in this regard."

The BNP standing committee members urged the government to immediately declare a plan with a detailed outline to ensure strict monitoring and accountability regarding the collection, preservation, and distribution of the vaccine.

They also demanded the government take steps to give the vaccine to people free of cost.

The government should take preparations in advance to preserve the vaccine at the right temperature as Bangladesh needs 32 crore doses of the vaccine for its 16 crore people, the meeting added.

The BNP policymakers said the government was not taking prompt steps to have a vaccine and its proper presentation.

They voiced concern that the novel coronavirus has spread badly across the country due to the government's "failure, indifference, and corruption".