Corporate giants join in fight
Despite being hit by the fallout of the coronavirus, Bangladesh's corporate giants are not sitting idle as they have joined the government's efforts by enhancing supplies to the ill-equipped health sector and extending helping hand to the low-income people who are facing existential crisis because of the lockdown.
Major businesses are providing personal protective equipment (PPE), medicines and test kits to hospitals as well as essentials to the needy.
Akij Group is building a 301-bed specialised hospital for coronavirus patients at the heart of the capital, while Bashundhara Group has handed over its sprawling International Convention City Bashundhara to the government for converting into a hospital.
Their efforts come as the government announced a ten-day countrywide lockdown until April 4 to slow the spread of the deadly virus.
Pran-RFL Group is seeking approval from the Drug Administration for its 20-bed isolation centre in its Amzad Khan Memorial Hospital in Natore.
"The centre is almost ready as we have a hospital there. People will be treated there once we get the nod," said Kamruzzaman Kamal, Pran's director for marketing.
The company has also provided 4,500 surgical masks and 500 bottles of hand sanitisers to public hospitals in Dhaka and given away 40,000 packs of noodles and 1,000 packs of biscuits for the poor through two volunteer organisations.
Square Pharmaceuticals has donated 10,000 PPEs to the Directorate General of Drug Administration, while Sheltech Group will provide 5,000 PPEs to two hospitals.
"It is our responsibility to stand by the government at this critical moment. We should not think about business now. Rather saving lives should be our priority," said Tanvir Ahmed, Sheltech's MD.
The group is providing food to 1,000 low-income people in Dhaka and the initiative will continue until the recovery from the pandemic. Besides, it has a plan to provide ration containing lentil, rice, milk, edible oil and soap to 5,000 families.
PHP Family will provide Tk 2 crore to the Prime Minister's Relief and Welfare Fund, said Dilshad Ahmed, its head of media and public relations.
Sufi Mohammad Mizanur Rahman, chairman of PHP Family, has also donated honorarium of the Ekushey Padak to the treatment fund of the Chattogram Medical College and Hospital.
Youngone Group in Chattogram would donate 25,000 PPEs to hospitals and has formed a coordination committee to assess the need of the hospitals.
Premier Cement distributed masks and sanitisers among 6,000 people, said its MD Mohammed Amirul Haque.
Beximco has donated Tk 15 crore to provide PPEs, medicines and test kits for healthcare workers.
The coronavirus crisis has to be fought on all fronts involving both private and public sectors, said Beximco Group Vice-Chairman Salman F Rahman in a statement.
ACI Pharmaceuticals donated 5,000 PPEs and will provide masks in large volumes for doctors and nurses, said M Mohibuz Zaman, its chief operating officer.
Confidence Group donated 4,000 PPEs to a number of organisations, such as the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, the Kuwait Bangladesh Friendship Government Hospital, the police force, the Chittagong Medical College Hospital, the Dhaka Medical College Hospital and the Fire Service and Civil Defence.