Bangladesh role model in tackling coronavirus: Health Minister

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh has become a role model for the entire globe in tackling the coronavirus outbreak, says Health Minister Zahid Maleque.

He made the remarks while addressing the inaugural ceremony of Community Vision Centers at the 250-bed General Hospital in Manikganj on Saturday afternoon. Ten Community Vision Centers have been set up around the hospital.

Quality of healthcare has improved in district-level hospitals across the country. Also, marginalized communities have received healthcare through community clinics, a trend which has continued during the Covid-19 pandemic as well, the Health Minister said. 

"Bangladesh has become a role model for the world in tackling coronavirus thanks to the leadership of the Prime Minister," Minister Maleque said.

Claiming that healthcare facilities are now at people's doorsteps, he said that there are now 38 medical colleges and around 25 health institutes in the country.

In terms of population density, Bangladesh has the lowest mortality rate from coronavirus, while the recovery rate is the highest in the world, he said.

The Minister acknowledged the contribution of the doctors, nurses, staff and others who have been selflessly working during the pandemic period and condoled the deaths of the medical personnel who had died from the virus while discharging their duties.

Director of National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital, Professor Golam Mostafa; Principal of Col Malek Medical College, Akhtaruzzaman; Manikganj Deputy Commissioner, SM Ferdous; Civil Surgeon Anwar Ullah, among others, attended the ceremony.