Incentives for doctors, other health staff

"I want to reward those who are directly engaged in the fight against Covid-19 since March," she said.

The PM was addressing the public representatives and officials from 15 districts of Chattogram and Sylhet divisions through videoconferencing from the Gono Bhaban.

Hasina said the government would give a special incentive to encourage them. Besides, there would be a health insurance of Tk 5-10 lakh for them if they were infected with coronavirus while discharging their duties.

"If anyone dies, the coverage amount of the health insurance will be five times higher," she added.

The premier said the incentive would be applicable for those who were fighting the Covid-19 since last month, putting their lives at risk.

She said if any public servant got infected with Covid-19 while performing duties, the government would bear all the treatment costs.

The PM criticised a section of doctors for not providing treatment to patients on the pretext of keeping themselves safe from Covid-19.

"This incentive is not for those who fled for their own safety. This has left the patients moving from one hospital to another to get treatment."

Hasina said doctors would have to work first if they wanted to get the incentive.

"Work now, engage yourselves during this hard time. We will keep you under observation for the next three months. If anyone really provides service to the people, we will think about him."

She said there is no justification for engaging anyone who does not have the sense of humanity.

"If that type of hard days come, we will bring doctors and nurses from abroad if necessary. But we can't do anything with this type of weak mentality. This is the reality."

Hasina categorically said that doctors have to provide treatment if any patient comes. "Yes, you can take measures to keep yourselves safe. But why the patients will return? Why the patients will die after moving from one hospital to another for treatment. Why a student of Dhaka University will have to die?" she questioned.

Terming the death very painful and regretful, she said the student didn't get any treatment from any physician.

The PM said she instructed the authorities to collect the names of the doctors who were on duty when the student went for treatment.

"They don't have the capability to provide treatment. I think that they should be fired from their jobs."

She said she knew it very well that there was anxiety around the world over Covid-19.

"All have to remain safe. A doctor has his responsibilities and we have taken appropriate steps for them. We are providing them with all materials and if necessary, we will give more. We are producing safety gears at home and importing from abroad," the PM added.

Hasina, however, lauded the doctors, nurses and health workers of the government hospitals for their outstanding services towards patients.

"I am conveying my sincere gratitude to them. They have come forward and they didn't show any negligence. They worked hard knowing about the risks involved. They provided services to Covid-19 patients putting their lives at risk."

She thanked the field level government officials, employees, law enforcement agencies, army personnel and others for their efforts.

"As a result, so far we are able to keep this under control. This has not spread widely and the health situation is under total control due to everyone's efforts," the premier said.

She asked the officials concerned to prepare a separate list of those section of people who usually do not take any relief or help from the government's safety net programmes.

Hasina said she would not tolerate any irregularities in the distribution of relief materials.