Coronavirus: Government orders Ctg manufacturer to produce 50,000 more surgical jackets

The global coronavirus outbreak has resulted in a mass upsurge in demand for medical supplies such as masks, gloves, ventilators and surgical jackets.

While Bangladesh has been receiving contributions from international communities, locally too, there has been a growth in production.

A manufacturer at the Chattogram Export Processing Zone (CEPZ) -- Smart Jacket (BD) Limited -- has received a working order for 50,000 more sets of surgical jackets from the Ministry of Health, reports our correspondent.

The company, a concern of Smart Group of Industries, had earlier delivered 90,000 sets of surgical jackets as part of its first work order.

"We regularly manufacture surgical jackets for an American buyer. The Health Ministry on Monday asked us to make one lakh sets. After receiving the order we immediately managed to deliver 90,000 sets as they were already prepared for export," Mujibur Rahman, director of the company, told The Daily Star.

Today, the health ministry placed another order for 50,000 sets of surgical jackets.

The company expects to deliver 50,000 surgical jackets ordered today and the pending order of 10,000 from earlier, within next Thursday.

"Almost all factories will be closed from tomorrow (Sunday) but few factory workers are also interested in working more, some even two shifts if needed," the director added.

The ministry has assured the company of bearing manufacturing cost and the company director has said they are not looking to make profit.