Don’t hesitate to get tested for Covid-19: PM to rural people

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today urged villagers not to be reluctant on getting tested for Covid-19 and taking proper treatment.

"...I receive news from rural areas that people don't go for Covid-19 tests out of fear that they'll be treated as untouchables if information of them being Covid-19 positive spreads. They fear that no one will mix with them. This is not the right mindset," she said.

The prime minister made the remark while addressing the 27th founding anniversary programme of Bangladesh Awami Swecchasebak League (BASL). She joined the program virtually from Gono Bhaban.

BASL, an associate body of ruling Awami League, arranged the programme at the Awami League's central office at the city's Bangabandhu Avenue.

The prime minister said if anyone goes for Covid-19 test, he or she will be able to receive medical treatment in addition to not infecting others with the virus.

"This is how we will be able to save other's lives. This attitude should be there among people," she said. 

Sheikh Hasina, also the president of Awami League, asked the party workers and its associate bodies to convey this message to the common people to remove their reluctance about Covid-19 test.

She said her government has been taking measures to bring 80 percent of the country's population under the Covid-19 vaccination coverage.

The PM said people will be able to get vaccinated with spot registration using their NID cards in rural vaccination centres.

Hasina also asked BASL leaders and activists to help and motivate people to get vaccinated as the government has taken an initiative to launch a massive vaccination drive at the grassroots level across the country.

Hasina said the Swecchasebak League always stood beside people, setting an example, and asked its members to continue their services to humanity.

Talking about the birthday of PM's ICT Affairs Adviser and her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, she recalled Joy's contribution towards making Digital Bangladesh.