Expressing her dissatisfaction with the country’s health services, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has demanded a better, more optimal health service to contain the Covid-19 crisis in Bangladesh.
The premier held a meeting in this regard with some top bureaucrats and representatives of health services at Ganabhaban on Wednesday.
According to sources, Sheikh Hasina discussed the ongoing coronavirus situation in the country and issued some necessary directives.
“At the meeting, the prime minister discussed issues regarding the measures already taken to curb a further transmission of the Covid-19 virus in the country, healthcare facilities, and issued directives for future measures to be taken to improve the situation,” PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim said after the meeting.
Sources at the meeting anonymously told Dhaka Tribune that the prime minister was worried about the higher curve of the Covid-19 pandemic in Bangladesh. She also expressed her dissatisfaction with the health sector.
“The services of the health sector have become questionable after the Covid-19 attack in the country. We have to overcome it,” sources present at the meeting quoted her as saying.
Responding to a question, a meeting insider said: “Area-wise lockdown was also discussed at the meeting as a minor part of the agenda since the prime minister had already given a nod on a marking out of zones where necessary. The major part of the discussions was health sector-based at the meeting.”
While talking to Dhaka Tribune, PM’s Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus said: “The prime minister gave some directives to the health ministry; they will reveal it to you soon.”
Responding to Dhaka Tribune, PM’s personal physician Prof ABM Abdullah said that the meeting widely discussed administrative measures and action.
“I was attending the meeting as a physician to the PM. I shared some opinions but I cannot speak on the administrative decisions,” Dr Abdullah said.
Meeting insiders said Sheikh Hasina had especially issued directives for the capacity building of the health services. The prime minister suggested some plans for procurement of medical equipment and future initiatives to fight Covid-19.
The prime minister’s press secretary said Cabinet Secretary Khandaker Anwarul Islam, PMO Secretary Md Tofazzel Hossain Mian, Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) DG Prof Abul Kalam Azad and Central Medical Stores Depot (CMSD) Director Abu Hena Morshed Zaman were also present at the meeting, among others.
