Bangladesh must learn from its experiences last year to ensure proper management of the on-going second wave of Covid-19 in the country, economist Hossain Zillur Rahman said in a statement on Monday.
He signed the statement on behalf of the Healthy Bangladesh project of the Power and Participation Research Centre (PPRC).
PPRC Executive Chairman Zillur Rahman said: “We must overcome the flaws in vaccine management that came to light in 2020.”
He noted that during the second wave, youths were infected by the deadly coronavirus, while the coverage of vaccination and its effectiveness appeared lower in the country.
“The economic revolution has already started, but the experience of 2020 is not being utilized and the second wave is eating away at progress,” he further said.
The economist said that a serious and credible message on the need to follow health protocol must be issued alongside the formulation of new rules.
He suggested the implementation of a “smart lockdown,” and the urgent expansion of hospital services to tackle the surge in Covid-19.
He also stressed the need to hold the authorities accountable.
“The smart lockdown model may prioritize epicentres of infection. The vaccination campaign needs to prioritize those areas,” Zillur Rahman said.
He recommended shutting down inter-city transport, and only opening travel within cities after imposing restrictions.
He also suggested limiting the opening hours of shops selling essential goods, and measures to ensure that most employees work from home.
“The government must look at the situation of the urban poor, who were badly affected last time,” the former caretaker government advisor said.
He added that a national monitoring body needed to be formed through partnership between government and non-government organizations to supervise root-level management of health services.
“This body will help formulate an action plan to fight the crisis. In the meantime, the people need to fulfil their civic responsibility and follow health guidelines to create a better place of living,” he said.
