ZCZC
BSS-22
PM-COVID-HEALTH INSURANCE LEAD 2 LAST DHAKA
The prime minister said there is no doubt that the country needs physicians. “But why they’ll have such a mentality (of denying treatment) and why they lose the sense of humanity in this critical time?” she questioned.
Sheikh Hasina said a doctor can provide healthcare services to a patient by protecting himself or herself by wearing apron, mask or gloves or using hand sanitizer. “Why a patient will return (without treatment) … why a Dhaka University student will die after being denied treatment?” she said.
The prime minister said the coronavirus panic grips the entire country and the world. “I know that all need to be protected. But a doctor has also a responsibility. We’re providing equipment whatever they need and we’re not making any hesitation regarding this,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina instructed the officials concerned to make arrangements for ration cards so that the needy people can get foods at low prices.
“It is seen that the assistance doesn’t reach the specific people due to bad habit of some persons. If we could make this arrangement, the people will get foods at low prices,” she said.
At the same time, she reminded the officials concerned to prepare a list of the distressed people who remain out of the social safety net programmes to provide foods and other assistance to them.
The distribution of food free of cost and social safety net programmes will continue in the country, she said, adding: “But you’ve to find out and prepare a list of those who used to earn livelihood by doing daily works as their income has stopped due to the nationwide shutdown.”
Sheikh Hasina directed the officials concerned to help the low-income and middle class people by providing rice at Taka 10 per kg and through ration cards.
Elaborating her government’s strides to provide assistance in this critical time, the prime minister said the government is continuing distributing rice at Taka 10 per kg among the poor. “We’ve directed the authorities to reach foods to every house,” she said.
Referring to the announcement of Taka 72,750 crore stimulus package, she said the package has been declared to accelerate the pace of the wheels of the country’s economy.
“We’ve also given special incentive so that the salary and allowances in the industrial sector are not halted … I think if these packages are properly implemented, we will have no problem,” she said.
Issuing strong warning against corruption, the premier said it is seen during bad times that some people want to make money and change their fate through graft.
“But we want to say clearly that I’ll not give even a little concession to those who will indulge in corruption taking the chance of the plight of the people,” she said.
Urging all to work together to contain the Covid-19, the prime minister said: “We don’t want the spread of the disease further and for this all will have to follow the health codes strictly.”
Mentioning that April is a crucial month for the country due to the coronavirus, Sheikh Hasina said anybody experiencing any symptom of the disease will have to visit the physicians.
“Please don’t conceal the disease and you may infect others if you hide it and it’s not a matter of shame … we’ve make all kinds of arrangements for the treatment and we’ve also taken steps for protection of those who will provide treatment to the Covid-19 patients,” she said.
The prime minister said the whole world got stagnant as the Covid-19 has spread 202 countries and territories and it is expanding day by day.
“From the beginning, we tried to stem the outbreak of the disease and protect the people from its impact,” she said.
“If we see the trend of spreading the disease in the world, it’s like mathematics and if we gather the experience of other countries, the country may face massive blow of it in this April and we’re getting this symptoms and reports,” she said.
She went on saying: “In this situation, we’ve to remain more cautious and move in such a way so that the people are less affected by its impact.”
Later, the prime minister exchanged views with the cross section of the people including ministers, MPs, deputy commissioners, police supers, mayors, chairmen, civil surgeons, imams, doctors, nurses and others on the coronavirus situation of their respective districts through the videoconference.
PM’s Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus moderated the videoconference, while Cabinet Secretary Khandaker Anwarul Islam, Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim and PMO Secretary Tofazzel Hossain Mian were present at Ganabhaban on the occasion.
BSS/SH/GA/1812 hrs