It is good to see that foreigners in Bangladesh will be able to begin registration for the Covid-19 vaccine from March 17.
However, while their vaccination continues the trend of positive steps the authorities have taken with regard to vaccination, there is a glaring oversight by the DGHS, which requires immediate attention -- according to a circular issued by the DGHS, “foreign nationals holding A/A1/A2/FA2/D/ND/M categories of visas will be considered for vaccination in the first phase.”
Unfortunately, this directive completely fails to take into account those who have a no visa requirement (NVR) stamp.
These are foreigners -- who are often the spouses of Bangladeshis -- who have chosen Bangladesh, to live here and make their lives here. These are not foreigners who are here only for a few years for work purposes, rather, they are here for the long haul.
This is an utter lapse in judgment on the part of the DGHS, where it appears that they have simply forgotten about a significant number of men and women in the country who are here with an NVR stamp, and they should very much be included in the right to vaccination.
As such, the DGHS must realize the error in their initial directive, and amend it to allow the foreigners with an NVR stamp to register for the Covid-19 vaccine. These foreigners are most at home right here in Bangladesh, and there can be no justification in keeping them out of this process, which is being rolled out to save lives and end this pandemic for good.
