Together we’ll find a way out of this crisis
Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) is looking for a path to overcome the difficulties of the Covid-19 pandemic in implementation of its funded projects in Bangladesh.
Jica has 30 ongoing projects, including large infrastructure projects like Matarbari power plant in Maheshkahli where over $3 billion is invested.
"I can't deny that there already are impacts of the Covid-19 on the Jica funded projects and there will be more to come," said Hirata Hitoshi, chief representative of Jica Bangladesh office in a virtual interview with The Daily Star recently.
"I am confident that our executing agencies, consultants and contractors will together find a way through this difficulty. They have always overcome difficulties in the past; they will do it this time too."
According to Hitoshi, travel restrictions abroad have prohibited foreign experts to come to Bangladesh, while travel restrictions and lockdown within Bangladesh has constrained movement of materials, equipment and labourers. All of this has slowed down the projects.
He said the implementation work of the infrastructure projects are running on a limited scale to observe the measures initiated by the government.
"We have asked Bangladeshi executing agencies to take strict safety measures at the project sites to protect the workers of the projects," he said.
Jica is committed to ensure protection of the workers, he said, adding "The implementation will run in full swing post Covid-19."
According to him, the Jica projects generated more than 20,000 employments at the project sites, where around 200 Japanese experts are also working.
"It is unfortunate but, at the same time, I think this slowing down [of work] was necessary. We all have to adjust to a post-Covid-19 world and we need time to adjust.
"Our projects are no exception. Our executing agencies are stepping up and adjusting their projects," he said.
He added that quarantine facilities are being established, camps are being expanded to accommodate more social distancing, workers are being tested before site entry, protective equipment are being distributed to all workers, awareness campaigns are being conducted, etc.
How Japan became successful to fight against Covid-19 –Bangladesh can adopt
Japan's public health policy is built upon the principle of "Universal Health Coverage", which ensures everyone's access to health services at an affordable cost throughout life.
To deliver necessary health services all the way to peripheries, we need to prepare health facilities at all levels, from primary to tertiary, with well-trained health workers, medical equipment, drugs and so on.
Effective referrals to the tertiary level is, of course, important for the critically ill, but, in Japan's case in the fight against Covid-19, I would like to highlight the roles that have been played by local public health centres.
Local public health centres often serve as an entry point for people in accessing health services. This is especially true in rural areas of Japan.
As the coronavirus spread, local health centres made epidemiological analysis, responded to an increasing number of inquiries from residents over infections, facilitated behavioural changes for infection prevention, transported samples to testing organisations, tirelessly found hospitals that could still accept patients, while beds were being occupied every second.
In fact, under enormous pressure, they had to tackle new, multiple tasks through trial and error.
Yet, they managed to sort out the increasing health demands of the local population and remained trustworthy public health institutions.
In Bangladesh, under the strong leadership of the government, Jica and other development partners have been supporting the realisation of Universal Health Coverage through the sector programme.
This includes the strengthening of primary health care at the community level. Each country is on a path to developing its own model that fits the local context. However, the need for health services that local populations can count on is universal.
Another effective measure taken in Japan is avoiding the "Three Cs".
They stand for: 1. Closed space with poor ventilation; 2. Crowded places with many people nearby; 3. Close-contact settings such as close-range conversations.
These "Three Cs" were repeatedly communicated by both the national and local governments, the media as well as private sector partners who saw the benefit of supporting the initiative.
As the message of "Three Cs" was so well crafted and therefore catchy, it spread quickly across Japan and helped people change their behaviour in adopting Covid-19 preventive measures.
Such catchy awareness activities to change people's behaviour would be effective in Bangladesh too.
Hitoshi appreciated the immediate health protective measures taken by the government to save it's people's lives.
He said that increasing the number of tests to detect patients will facilitate rapid treatment.
In this regard, Jica will join the efforts to ensure healthcare service and necessary support.
He thinks Bangladesh is quite capable of tackling the prevailing situation, especially with support from its friend countries and bi-lateral and multi-lateral development partners sincerity to provide support to the government.
However, he said the government will have to take measures to uplift the resilience of the healthcare system, logistic, transport and social protection system to turn the crisis into opportunities.
According to him, it is an opportunity for Bangladesh to improve the healthcare system.
Japan's quality control team helping local textiles industry to combat Covid-19
With the spread of Covid-19, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Development Partners saw an urgent need to regulate the rampant use of poor-quality personal protective equipment.
This is why Jica and K2, a leading Japanese garment inspection company, together with WHO, USAID and BUET, have been supporting the government in establishing a quality control system for local production of PPEs.
"We expect that locally produced gowns, technically supported by us, will be certified by the ministry's new quality-control system for the first time soon. We hope these quality-assured gowns will be effectively used to protect frontline health workers in Bangladesh and elsewhere.
"For potential exports, we will need to closely monitor global market needs while strengthening the capacity of local manufacturers to win the competition. I am hoping that Bangladesh's garment industry will export the locally made PPEs to global market including Japan," said Hitoshi.
He said a Japanese textile inspection company is providing technical support for industries in Bangladesh manufacturers to producing high quality PPE, including masks, gowns and goggles.
With Japan's quality-control team, the local textiles industry can strengthen efforts to combat Covid-19, he said.
"We have been a long-standing partner of Bangladesh and are a proud of being a member of the joint efforts in confronting the virus. Bangladesh's people will overcome this difficult time as they did in concerted efforts and tackled many challenges for a long time. We stand by them as we did", said Hitoshi.
Budgetary support to Bangladesh
Regarding budgetary support, he said Jica is working to provide budgetary support so that the Bangladesh government can provide stimulus packages to the private firms and enhance social safety net programmes in view to revive economic growth.
"Upon request of Bangladesh government, Tokyo is working hard to provide necessary help to improve the health service facilities and budgetary support to fight the pandemic," said Hitoshi.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in early April announced around Tk 96,000 crore stimulus package, which is nearly 3 percent of the GDP, to help the private sector and enliven the country's economy.
"The initiative of the government is really good and a time befitting decision, which will help rescue the country's economy and the lives of the people of Bangladesh," he said.
The Jica chief representative said Asian Development Bank and World Bank have already declared that they will provide financial aid to Bangladesh while Jica will also come forward to help as soon as possible.
So, they are hopeful about implementation of stimulus package and revive the country's economy, he said.
Prospectus for Bangladesh post Covid-19
Hitoshi thinks Bangladesh will be gainer during the post Covid-19 period as there is a huge possibility to attract foreign direct investment.
The current supply chain system will be reformed and as a result as a preference over "local production for local consumption" will prevail.
To win in this new paradigm of competition, Bangladesh needs to grow into a market more attractive for investors than its neighbouring countries.
Particularly Japanese companies are likely to relocate their factories from China.
Bangladesh is a strong candidate get the investment of Japanese companies, including Jica, and the Japan External Trade Organisation is expected to give a helping hand to attract Japanese investment in this country.
Bangladesh should accommodate more Japanese companies that have already invested in this country as they will help in attracting new investors, diversifying the industry and create employment that will contribute directly to the economy.
Comments