Nurse Runu Veronica first to receive Covid-19 vaccine in Bangladesh

Runu Veronica Costa, a senior nurse of Kurmitola General Hospital, received the first shot of the Covid-19 vaccine after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina virtually inaugurated the pilot vaccination programme.

Four other government employees also received Covid-19 vaccine at the inaugural programme.

The other recipients are -- Dr Ahmed Lutful Moben, a doctor of KGH; Prof Dr Nasima Sultana, additional director general of the health directorate; Md Didarul Alam, a traffic police of Motijheel Zone; and Brigadier General M Imran Hamid of Bangladesh Army.

Runu Veronica Costa. Photo: Mohammad Al-Masum Molla

Of the South Asian countries, Bangladesh at the moment has the highest number of vaccines at hand -- 70 lakh doses -- after India.

Covid-19 has already claimed more than 8,000 lives in the country and over 2.14 million in the world.