Govt spending around Tk47,000 per Covid-19 patient in ICU: Health minister
Preparations taken since the beginning of the outbreak will remain in place to help Bangladesh deal with the second wave
The government has been spending around Tk47,000 for each Covid-19 patient in ICU beds, and TK15,500 for each in general beds amid the novel coronavirus pandemic, Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid Maleque said on Sunday.
Making the disclosure at a meeting on Shasthyo Surokhsha Karmasuchi (SSK) with stakeholders, the minister reiterated that the government has made the Covid-19 treatment free at public hospitals and is also charging a nominal fee for novel coronavirus tests.
Addressing the meeting held at the health ministry's meeting room, Maleque further said, "Such government initiatives have benefitted the people immensely amid the Covid-19 crisis. Preparations taken since the beginning of the outbreak will remain in place to help us deal with the second wave.
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"Bangladesh currently has a sufficient stock of personal protective equipment, and it will remain adequate in the coming days too."
The health minister added the district and upazila level committees, which operate under the health ministry, have been asked to extend their awareness campaign against Covid-19.
"At the same time, other ministries and departments have also been alerted about the second wave," he said.
The minister then pointed out that the government has already made it compulsory for the people to wear a mask to avail services at government offices by adopting a "No Mask No Service" rule.
"Another campaign will soon be launched to further extend health awareness against the novel coronavirus," Maleque added.
