Begin mass testing for Covid-19 now

Ganasamhati Andolon yesterday demanded the government's approval of a coronavirus testing kit developed by the Gonoshasthaya Kendra and starting of mass testing immediately to reduce people's sufferings.

The demand was made by the left-leaning political party at a demonstration organised in front of Jatiya Press Club in the capital. Presenting a seven-point demand, leaders and activists of the party later brought out a procession and started to march towards the health ministry at secretariat.

However, after being restricted by the police on Topkhana Road, they held a short rally there.

The party's chief coordinator Zonayed Saki said 20 percent budgetary allocation should be given in the health sector. "Timely allocation of money and proper implementation must be ensured," he said.

Their other demands include establishing adequate quarantine and isolation facilities in densely populated areas; adequate oxygen support at hospitals; providing health card to every citizen to implement universal healthcare; establishing accountability in health sector by forming an independent constitutional commission and forming an independent judicial commission to investigate and prosecute all corruption in the sector.

"The first coronavirus patient was identified on March 8. But the government did not take it seriously then; rather its primary task was to observe Mujib's centenary programmes," said Zonayed Saki.

He also said that the government had failed to continue lockdown to contain the coronavirus properly due to severe corruption over relief, and failure to feed poor communities.