Japan provides 2,000 PPE to Bangladesh

As part of Japan's initiative to support Bangladesh contain the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, Embassy of Japan in Dhaka and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) jointly handed over high quality personal protective equipment (PPE), including masks, gowns and goggles to the government of Bangladesh.

Ito Naoki, Japanese ambassador to Bangladesh, handed over 2,000 sets of PPE to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare at the secretariat recently.

"The Government of Japan and JICA will continue to support measures taken by the Government of Bangladesh and take a leading and active approach in this global crisis," Naoki said, according to a statement by JICA.

Hiarata Hitoshi, chief representative of JICA Bangladesh, was also present during the handover. Md Asadul Islam, secretary of health services division (HSD) received the PPE on Bangladesh's behalf.

"It is a great honor to receive this much needed equipment.  With Japan's support, we can strengthen our efforts to combat Covid-19," Asadul said.

The PPEs will be distributed to frontline health workers in technical cooperation project of Strengthening Health Systems through Organizing Communities (SHASTO) in Narsingdi, Cox's Bazaar, and Dhaka City North.

Another 2,000 sets of PPE will be distributed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), Kurmitola General Hospital, and Kuwait Maitree Hospital through the programme "Capacity Building for Nursing Services", implemented in partnership with the Directorate General of Nursing and Midwifery.

To ensure the quality of PPE distributed in Bangladesh, JICA has also secured technical assistance for developing a testing system and has been working with the Directorate General of Drug Administration, WHO and other development partners.