Health Minister Zahid Maleque said: "The coronavirus pandemic has devastated the world. And it's not just the health sector, all sectors including economy, food, education, and security have been affected.
“We are trying our best to bring it under control. Hospitals have been increased as well as ICUs. Ways to better treat Covid-19 have also been found.”
“The number of Covid-19 tests has increased. Vaccination drives are going on in the country. Still we are unable to control Covid-19 spread,” he continued.
He made the remarks at an event on the occasion of World Health Day on Wednesday. The event was organized by the Department of Health. This year the theme of World Health Day is “Building a beautiful and healthy world for all.”
The minister said: "While treating Covid-19 patients, the treatment of patients with cancer, kidney, stroke and other serious diseases is being hampered.”
He said the infection rate of Covid-19 had decreased, but people did not follow health regulations, and became very careless after getting vaccine shots.
They gathered in groups carelessly. They also attended various social gatherings including weddings without wearing masks and not maintaining social distancing.
All these reasons have contributed to the increase in the rate of infection.
The minister further said: "People did not follow the hygiene rules, and so the government had to impose a lockdown. At the same time, the government has also given 18-point guidelines to follow.
“The country is in lockdown now. People have to follow the 18-point guidelines. They should take every step carefully not only for themselves but for their families, the state, the economy.”
The keynote speech of the Health Day was presented by the line director of the Department of Infectious Diseases of the Health division, Prof Nazmul Islam, reported Bangla tribune.
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Vice-Chancellor Prof Sharfuddin Ahmed said: “The pandemic has affected people physically, socially and mentally. New infections are on the rise due to new variants. So, everyone has to follow the health rules strictly.”
Director General of the Department of Health, Prof Abul Basar Mohammad Khurshid Alam said: "We are all fighters in this time of the coronavirus pandemic, everyone is working."
“We should not forget that more people are dying of cancer, tuberculosis and other diseases than those dying of Covid-19,” said Professor Abul Basar adding: “We have to continue those treatments along with Covid-19 treatment too.”
Health Education Secretary Ali Noor said: "The government is strictly asking everyone to abide by the health rules, but people are not doing that. We need to find out why they are not listening.”
If the coronavirus spread cannot be prevented then treatment alone cannot improve the situation, he said.
He said that not only the Health Ministry but all other sectors must come forward to combat the coronavirus pandemic