The government will allow private hospitals to conduct inoculation very soon. Around 20 private hospitals across the country will likely receive the permission to vaccinate.
The Bangladesh Private Medical College Association (MPMCA) has appealed to the Health Ministry to incorporate private entities in the nationwide vaccination process.
Health Ministry sources said top officials in the government had already hinted at a green signal regarding vaccination at the private hospitals.
In his comments, Health Minister Zahid Maleque said: “We have received an application from the private medical college association. We hope to allow private entities in the vaccination process, on the basis of their abiding by the rules.”
He was speaking at a discussion over the involvement of the private sector in the vaccination program. The discussion was held at a five-star hotel in Dhaka on Wednesday.
“However, how the private sector can be involved in the process has not been finalized yet,” he added.
The MPMCA recently demanded one million doses from the government to vaccinate people privately. Depending on the government’s approval, anyone can receive a vaccine from private hospitals.
What vaccination process will be followed?
The government has been vaccinating the public free of cost after registration. A total of 2400 vaccination teams have been deployed across the country with 204 teams at 50 vaccine centres in Dhaka, and 2196 teams at 995 centres outside the capital.
Once the private sector is involved in the process, they will be vaccinating residents based in Dhaka.
Will the vaccines be affordable?
According to the Health Ministry, the government is yet to decide the price for private hospitals.
The Health Minister said: “If private hospitals purchase vaccines from the government, they can sell the vaccines to consumers. If they receive the vaccines for free from the government, they can only ask for the service charge from consumers. However, the process is yet to be determined.”
The MPMCA has demanded a swift settlement of the price and service charge, as the private hospitals would like to begin the vaccination process immediately.