The Covid-19 pandemic is showing little sign of abating, and continues to wreak havoc in Bangladesh, with 200 daily deaths having become the norm now. As such, it was good to see the mass vaccination drive of yesterday, as Covid-19 jabs were simultaneously administered in 4,600 unions, 1,054 municipality areas, and 433 wards of the city corporations.
However, in addition to vaccination which is rightfully being prioritized, there is an immediate need to also significantly bolster our health care facilities, so that patients, when they are in critical need, are not deprived of these facilities, which results in immense suffering and sometimes the loss of lives -- all of which would been have avoidable if we had the right facilities.
To that end, the news that we are receiving over 100 ambulances from India -- with the first fleet of 30 ambulances arriving yesterday -- is welcome, and we are thankful to India for its generosity and thoughtfulness at this most difficult juncture for Bangladesh.
That these ambulances come with ventilation support is crucial; we have seen that Covid-19 patients have suffered and have lost their lives as they have struggled for oxygen, and ambulances equipped with this facility as the patients are being taken to the hospital are the need of the hour.
However, while India’s generosity is to be appreciated, the authorities concerned must do their part to increase the capacity of our health sector across the board.
We have seen time and time again that we simply do not have a health care system that is able to keep people alive simply because it lacks the resources, and this can simply not be a reason for people losing their lives. Nothing is more important than the health and well-being of citizens in a country, and it is the solemn duty of those in charge to do everything in their power to ensure this.
