BD manages Covid crisis better than many countries: Minister

Health Minister Zahid Maleque on Thursday said Bangladesh has been very efficient in Covid-19 crisis management compared to other countries.

"We have done better than many countries in the world in Covid management. Country's people were able to get treatment in hospitals rather than in tents," he said.

The minister also noted that the death toll has been significantly less in Bangladesh compared to many countries.

He was speaking at the inauguration event of 'Surokkha' mobile application for Covid-19 vaccine registration at Kurmitola General Hospital.

"Over one lakh people have died in almost every major country. In Bangladesh we have lost little over 8,000 lives. We mourn their deaths," he said adding that the numbers are much less considering that 160 million people live in such a tiny space.

He also remarked that the vaccination programme is progressing without any hassle.

"Many people had said a lot of negative things and then came to get the vaccine themselves. We need to maintain the vaccine chain and application system. We have to see that there is no chaos in vaccine distribution," he said.

Zahid Maleque added that Bangladesh has started vaccination activities earlier than many countries. "As the 6th country, we publicly roll out the vaccination programme."

The minister boasted that Bangladesh is among the few countries that had economic progress during the pandemic.

"Only three countries had economic growth during the Covid-19 pandemic, one of them is Bangladesh. This has become possible because Covid-19 situation has been kept under control," Zahid Maleque said.

State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak and BCB Chairman Nazmul Hossain Papon also spoke at the programme.

Bangladesh cricket team members and coaching staff received the Covid-19 vaccine at the event.