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Bangladesh far ahead in vaccination

130 nations yet to get the jab


Published : 18 Feb 2021 09:42 PM | Updated : 19 Feb 2021 01:27 AM

The coronavirus infection in public places is now well under control, thanks to the visionary and efficient leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The prime minister always gave priority to safeguard the health of the population and so ensured early availability of the corona vaccine by making payment to the authority concerned. 

Such commitment of protecting Bangladeshis from the pandemic is well reflected by the latest move where a substantial number of the population has already been vaccinated while the process continues.

When at least 130 countries in the world did not yet get a single dose of corona vaccines, over 18 lakh people of Bangladesh have already been vaccinated till Thursday. 

United Nation’s Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday at a high-level meeting of the Security Council said that 130 countries of the world did not get a single dose of corona vaccine yet.

The UN Secretary-General, however, sharply criticized the "wildly uneven and unfair" distribution of Covid-19 vaccines as saying that 10 countries have administered 75 percent of all vaccinations. He also demanded a global effort to get all people in every nation vaccinated as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, in Bangladesh, people almost have overcome the fear of coronavirus as well as vaccination. Rates of both the infection by corona virus and deaths are declining day by day. The detection rate has also been below 5 percent for the last four weeks.

According to the definition of the World Health Organization (WHO), if the infection rate is below 5 percent, then it will be considered as like as other common diseases. As such, coronavirus can now be treated as a common disease.

Public health experts in Bangladesh are also saying COVID-19 situation in Bangladesh now is well under control, which is of course a matter of relief.

They, however, warned that it should not be considered that the threat is over. Because, many people of the country are still being infected by the virus.

Professor ABM Abdullah, a former Dean of the Faculty of Medicine in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, pointed out that with the bold steps taken by the Prime Minister, the pace of the economy has remained almost normal as well as attained success in controlling the corona pandemic. Ordinary people are getting the benefits.

As per the latest information of the government, 443 people were infected in Bangladesh in last 24 hours while the total number of infected people was 5,41,877. The number of deaths in last 24 hours was only 16 while the total number of deaths since the corona attack began was 8,314. Besides, 633 people recovered from the infection in last 24 hours and the number of total number of people so far recovered was 4,89,254.

On the other hand, so far 11,05,20,533 people of the world were infected and 24,42,945 of them died while 8,54,15,125 people already recovered so far.

ASM Alamgir, the Chief Scientific Officer of the Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), said that the declining trend in infections and deaths reflects a great relief.

He also said that over 18 lakh people of the country have already got vaccinated with the first dodge. 

Besides, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Wednesday said, “Only 30 to 35 countries have got vaccines and many developed nations are yet to get that.”

"Why is there a worry about the vaccination? It is so easy that I didn't feel anything while getting vaccinated! It's a matter of delight that over 18 lakh people have already gotten the vaccine shot. I've heard that the vaccination drive is moving on smoothly," he said.

He also thanked the prime minister, the health minister, and the staffers and employees under the Health Ministry for carrying out the vaccination drive smoothly.

"I remember the day when the Prime Minister said we have to get the Covid-19 vaccine once it is developed. We contacted many countries and organisations for the vaccine before it is developed so that each person in Bangladesh can get it."