The government is going to approve another special project to combat the deadly virus Covid-19 which already affected the world’s developed countries badly.
The project titled ‘Covid-19 Emergency Response and Pandemic Preparedness’ involving Tk 1,300 crore will be approved soon by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, a senior official of planning ministry told the Bangladesh Post on Monday.
“We have already sent it to the Prime Minister for the approval on emergency basis as the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council’s meeting has been postponed,” he said.
Under the project, the government will set up Corona units with all facilities in 17 medical college hospitals to ensure proper treatment to the patients of the country, he added. The loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) will be used for the implementation of the project, he further said.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare will implement the project, he said adding that, Tk 850 crore will come from the lending agency ADB.Meanwhile, ADB approved a $100 million loan for Bangladesh on April 30.AndTk 450 crore will come from the government exchequer.
Earlier on April 19, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina approved a World Bank-funded project worth Tk 1,127 crore to increase the coronavirus testing facilities in the designated hospitals, procure necessary medical equipment to tackle the virus and ensure proper treatment to the patients.
Planning Minister MA Mannan said, “The health sector is getting special importance due to coronavirus epidemic. Health related projects are being processed expeditiously as a matter of urgency.”
“Earlier, the Prime Minister had approved another similar project on a World Bank loan. We are working with the highest priority when it comes to the project proposal of the Ministry of Health regarding corona, he informed.
Despite the closure, the concerned officials of the Planning Commission are working relentlessly, he added.
According to Planning Commission sources, the first project to tackle Corona was approved in the third week of April.
The project was also approved by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in a special process, they said.
Under the new project of corona units, PCR machines will be purchased for respective hospitals, PCR lab and ICU will be set up.Besides, PPE and masks will be purchased.
In addition, the capacity and quality of 19 laboratories will be enhanced by Covid-19 microbiological diagnostic facilities.
Under this project, at least 3,500 workers in the health sector will be given training in modern skills and knowledge.
Member of Social Infrastructure Division of the Planning Commission AbulKalam Azad said the project will becompleted in a short time.
In fact, the project was sent for approval in accordance with all the rules and regulations, he said adding that, “Hopefully, the Prime Minister will approve the project at any moment.”
However, the tally of coronavirus infections has surged to 15,691 in the past 24 hours in the country after a record 1034 new COVID-19 cases were detected. The death toll from the pandemic jumped to 239, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) on Monday.
