Massive vaccine drive next month

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said the problems over securing Covid vaccines have been resolved and her government will carry out a massive vaccination campaign across the country once more jabs arrive next month.

Mentioning that talks are going on with China, Russia and the US over vaccines, she said her government would pay whatever amount is needed to procure vaccines to inoculate 80 percent of the population.

Hasina, the leader of the House, said this at the Jatiya Sangsad, taking part in a discussion on the proposed budget for fiscal 2021-22.

The government contacted the developers of Covid vaccines while they were conducting research, and it provided money to book jabs, she mentioned.

"Bangladesh temporarily faced problems in collecting the jabs as India suddenly stopped exporting the vaccine after seeing a massive surge in Covid deaths and infections. But, by the grace of Allah, the problem is now over…

"We have taken up a plan to bring 80 percent of the population under vaccination coverage in phases.

"We have announced vaccinating all the citizens of the country for free. We will pay whatever amount of money is required to collect Covid vaccines."

Hasina said the government allocated Tk 14,200 crore in the budget to purchase the vaccines. It has so far secured 1.14 crore doses from multiple sources.

The PM further said the authorities concerned have been directed to vaccinate the outbound Bangladeshi workers on a priority basis so that they don't face quarantine upon reaching their destinations abroad.

VACCINATION FOR STUDENTS

Hasina said a vaccination programme has already been launched to inoculate the students of colleges and universities.

"We will be able to reopen colleges and universities upon its completion. Primary and secondary educational institutions will be opened if the Covid situation improves," she said, adding that the students have been in distress due to the closure of the institutions amid the pandemic.

Mentioning that there is an age limit for vaccination as per the World Health Organization's guidelines, the premier said, "We want students -- from school to university -- to get vaccinated so that we can reopen the educational institutions quickly."

Referring to online classes and educational programmes on the government TV channels and radio, she said, "We took steps to ensure the continuity of educational activities for students from the very beginning of the pandemic."

Hours after the PM's statement, the education ministry, and the primary and mass education ministry in separate statements announced extension of the closure of all educational institutions till July 31 due to Covid.

PANDEMIC CAUSED $17B DAMAGE

About the pandemic's huge impact on the country's economy, the PM said it has caused $17-billion damage to the economy since March last year.

"According to our initial estimates, the Covid pandemic caused $17-billion loss to the economy in fiscal 2019-2020 and 2020-2021."

The government has been implementing 23 stimulus packages involving $15.2 billion to recover the losses, she noted.

HEADING TOWARDS PROSPERITY

Hasina said that despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the government will be able to implement the budget that has given priority to lives and livelihoods of people. And the country will move another step towards prosperity.

Referring to the upward trend of various economic indexes, she said Bangladesh's economy is now on way to a complete recovery due to the government measures taken under its 23 stimulus packages.

Pointing out that the effects of the second Covid wave still persists, she said if necessary, her government would take prompt measures to protect lives and livelihoods of people as well as the economy.

Pledging to stand by the people, she said, "I would like to assure people that the government is always with them in this crisis and will remain beside them."

Coming down heavily on the critics of the budget and the government, the PM said she has doubts whether these critics understand the global situation arising out of the Covid pandemic.

"In the budget, priority has been given to the measures needed to deal with the second Covid wave, protect lives and livelihoods of people and mitigatethe pandemic's impact on the economy."

BANGLADESH'S IMAGE BRIGHTENED

Hasina said Bangladesh is providing $250 million to Sri Lanka as loan assistance through currency swap.

"Sri Lanka sought this loan assistance from us." This proves Bangladesh is always sincere about regional cooperation, she said.

"We have also waived the debts of Sudan and Somalia."

Bangladesh's image has brightened and the respect for its people has enhanced due to its financial assistance to Sri Lanka and Sudan, she said.