Resume health bulletin including weekly Q&A session: National Covid-19 Committee

The National Technical Advisory Committee on Covid-19 has suggested resuming the daily coronavirus health bulletin conducted by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) that was last aired on August 11.

The committee also recommended a weekly question and answer session with the media regarding the virus situation.

The technical body – formed to advise the government on curbing the Covid-19 pandemic and on improving the quality of medical services at hospitals – put forward various suggestions at its 17th meeting headed by Professor Dr Mohammad Shahidullah on Wednesday.

Recommending elaborate planning on Covid-19 vaccine, the committee proposed that the government should start contacting different international drug companies, who are now on an advanced level of the vaccine trial, to ensure our hands on the vaccine as soon as it gets the approval.

Besides, the committee has estimated the number of vaccines needed in the country and its approximate cost along with the fast-track vaccine collection plan.

The committee also encourages participation in the global clinical trial of vaccines, to build immunity in our society and get top priority if successful.

Moreover, effective vaccination plans like ensuring the adequate number of syringes, vaccine storage facility, distribution, management, manpower and identifying high-risk populations were suggested to be prepared in advance.

The committee called for the reduction of cost for a sample collection from home to Tk300 from Tk500. It has also recommended making the sample collection free of cost for the suspected Covid-19 patients who are going to sample collection booths for testing.

To ensure the safety of health officials and their families, the committee advised continuing the hotel quarantine facility that was recently revoked by the authority.