A private group of industrialists wanted to build a hospital in Tejgaon, Dhaka, especially for the corona patients. But the efforts faced angry resistance from the local people. It is certainly unbelievable. Details are not available. It is possible that there was misunderstanding about the motive. It is also possible that the government-backed extortionists were not satisfied.
The government’s plan on expanding testing facilities soon to Chattogram does not sound any urgency on the part of the government about the needs of such testing centres all over the country. Space can easily be found for starting such centres if there is the genuine preparedness.
In other highly developed countries the heads of the government — knowing how big crisis they’ve been facing for life and death of the people — are directly leading the war against the pandemic on behalf of their respective countries.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson got infected as he had to remain busy almost everyday to inform his people about the activities being directed for alleviation of the massive impact of coronavirus. The pandemic is just not a dangerous disease that spreading like wildfire, rather it is devastating the economic life of private individuals too.
The whole world economy is in danger of facing recession. The world leaders are working tirelessly and spending sleepless nights for saving their own country and the entire world from the obvious catastrophe.
In the United States President Donald Trump is restlessly moving here and there to organise the facilities available to contain the virus and save lives in thousands.
He joins with the specialists in press briefing everyday to keep the people informed how hard the government is trying to bring an end to the terrible sacrifice of the people – who are facing loss of their lives and jobs simultaneously. To alleviate the financial hardship, the US government has planned to spend two Trillion dollars for distribution among those who have lost income.
In our country the impression is that shutting down the people inside home is everything that has to be done by the government to fight the pandemic. The daily necessities of the people are not big consideration.
Some money has been reportedly allotted for the helpless people. But for the daring corruption in the government and governmental bodies the people are not assured of that the money would go to the deserving ones.
It is accepted by the world experts that only one single measure is not sufficient for fighting the contagion. There has to be implementation of a package of measures as advised by the World Health Organisation.
Recently, the UN has warned Bangladesh government about the possible loss of 20 lakhs lives. Asking the people to stay at home is not the complete answer. What is most important is social distancing which is not possible in all cases by staying at home.
The people are almost in the dark about the government efforts outside their shutdown homes. Surely doctors and nurses from the army are working hard along with other doctors and nurses. The people must know about their dedicated activities for mounting hope and courage among the people.
Another aspect of the spread of virus appears to be ignored. The virus has now spread more in the countryside. It happened for the foolishness of the administration. The government has shut downed the offices and businesses for ten days but no step was taken to stop the people from going to their village homes.
The government’s administrative set up has become more of a political set up for the objectives of politics. The consideration of serving people or accountability to the people was a matter of pleasure and not duty.
So it is easy for the government to be sure that its orders are carried out. The ministers are looking to the prime minister for obeying her directions. Their main responsibility is to work as propaganda machines. Now all are helpless.
Our close friends are also not seen so close. The recent help of medical equipment that came from China was a gift from AliBaba, an internal business concern. We expected very close cooperation from Chinese government.
What we shall urge is to arrange collective press briefing everyday. So that the people would know where to get urgent help and what the government is doing collectively with doctors and specialists.
The people need hope, the people need courage to overcome the crisis faced never before. The government cannot quarantine itself.
