Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has announced honorarium and allowances for physicians, nurses, and other health workers who are risking their lives to treat the coronavirus patients.
“They will also get health insurance of Tk5 lakh to Tk10 lakh as per their position,” she added.
She made the announcement while addressing a videoconference on Tuesday with the public representatives and officials of 15 districts of Chittagong and Sylhet divisions on the present coronavirus situation in the country.
At the same time, she also announced that if any health worker dies from attending coronavirus patients, then the insurance amount will be increased five-times.
The videoconference, which was aired live on state and public television channels, began around 10:05am at Ganabhaban in Dhaka.
“A list is being prepared with the names of physicians and nurses who attended coronavirus patients accordingly throughout the month of March,” the premier added.
She also issued a stern warning for physicians who refused to treat coronavirus patients during the crisis.
“Those who refused to treat the patients cannot enrol their names in the list. If anyone wants to join the process, they first need to serve coronavirus patients for at least three months. Only then we can think about them,” she added.
“We never asked anyone to treat coronavirus patients, but we will appreciate their self-willingness to do so. If necessary, we will hire physicians from abroad,” she said.
Earlier on Sunday, the prime minister unveiled a total incentive package of Tk72,750 crore to overcome the possible economic impact on the country due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus.
On Tuesday, 41 more people tested positive with Covid-19 in Bangladesh raising the total infected to 164. Five more people died taking the total death toll to 17. Of the 164 infected, 33 have recovered so far.
The fast spreading coronavirus has claimed 73,824 lives and infected 1,329,303 people worldwide till date, according to Worldometers. Around 293,454 people have recovered thus far.