No ‘VIP arrangement’ in Covid-19 treatment: health minister

VIP or not, everyone will be treated at the same hospitals and will be given same facilities in case of coronavirus infection, Health Minister Zahid Maleque said today.

Although some media, including some newspapers reported that the government is setting up separate hospital for the VIPs, it is not true, the minister said during the daily briefing regarding Covid-19 situation in Bangladesh.

"Government has not made any such arrangements, the same hospitals and same treatment facilities are available for everyone," he added.

He also asked officials to not make any comments without the relevant authorities' consent in order to avoid confusions.

No hospitals were put under lockdown and none will be, he said, adding that general hospitals will continue giving general treatments.

The government supply of medicines to different hospitals have not been interrupted and will not be, he said.

As many healthcare professionals were infected and many had to go into quarantine, they are arranging recruitment of 2,000 doctors and 6,000 nurses as per the directives of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the minister said.

"We hope this recruitment will strengthen our healthcare system further," he said.

Actions will be taken against those who manufacture and sell counterfeit masks and PPEs, the minister also warned.