Staff Reporter :
In the combat against the Covid-19 pandemic, the Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal has proposed to allocate Tk 10,000 crore to fulfil the emergency requirements in this regard.
“Our government has taken all-out efforts to improve the country’s health sector. As a part to combat the coronavirus epidemic, we are implementing different programmes worth Tk 5,500 crore under the Health Services Division,” AHM Mustafa Kamal said during his budget speech in the Parliament.
The Finance Minister has placed his proposed budget for 2020-21 fiscal year in the Parliament. “We will do everything whatever is required to address the coronavirus outbreak. To fulfill emergency requirements, I propose to allocate Tk 10,000 crore as a lump sum,” the minister said.
In the fiscal year 2019-20, the health sector received more than Tk 257 billion, but during the pandemic hit, the allotment seemed are not sufficient as an outcry emerged for a lack of health workers and facilities and personal protective equipment (PPEs) for doctors, nurses and other health workers.
In these circumstances, the government is keen to allot a handsome amount to tackle the situation.
Bangladesh has reported its first Covid-19 infection cases on March 8 and announced first death from the virus on March 18.
The death toll from Covid-19 now stands at 1,049.
Besides, the total number of infections of coronavirus has reached 78,052 in the country.
