When the top brass of the government has warned everyone to be prepared for the second wave of Covid-19 pandemic, Health Minister Zahid Maleque believes there is no need to worry about the potential event.
“A lot of chatter is going around about the second wave [of the pandemic], but there is nothing to be concerned about, as the government is well aware of the situation and careful about that,” he said at an event in Dhaka on Wednesday.
Zahid was the chief guest at the inauguration ceremony of a project aiming to modernize medical services and educational extension work at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, on the occasion of Mujib Year – being observed across the country to mark the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
“Hospitals are ready and our physicians are more confident than before [when the Covid-19 crisis started]. We can overcome it,” the health minister said.
Earlier on Monday, during a meeting of the cabinet, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the second wave of Covid-19 pandemic may hit the country in late October or early November.
She asked all concerned to be prepared to tackle the outbreak by using the experience gathered till now in the fight against coronavirus.
The premier made the same call at another event on Sunday.
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During Wednesday’s program, Health Minister Zahid Maleque said people across the world ignored the pandemic.
“As a result, a second wave surfaced in the US and some European countries. And it is highly likely in our country in wintertime,” he warned.
The government, he claimed, has already started taking necessary measures to contain the second phase of the pandemic, which has claimed more than 975,000 lives across the world so far.
“The country’s health sector has already shown its potential in fighting the ongoing coronavirus crisis. It is ready to repeat that once the second wave strikes,” he added.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on September 17 praised the Ministry of Health for their efficiency in tackling Covid-19 in Bangladesh.
‘Want to get effective Covid-19 vaccine at right time’
The health minister further said the government was working to procure the most effective Covid-19 vaccine at the right time for the people of the country, reported UNB.
“Many countries are working on coronavirus vaccine. Nine companies are in the final stage of trial. The government is in constant touch with at least five of them,” he said.
He said once any country introduces a vaccine, the government would do all it can to procure it.
“Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has given all sorts of instructions in this regard,” he said.