DHAKA, Jan 28, 2020 (BSS)- Health Minister Zahid Maleque today said there is nothing to be panic about coronavirus as no such patient has so far been detected in Bangladesh.
“None has so far been infected with coronavirus in Bangladesh. The health ministry has been working in this regard that the virus cannot enter the counrtry. Prime Minister herself looks after the matters,” he said at a press conference at his secretariat office here.
“The government is fully read to face the situation,” he said, adding that
scanner machines have already been set up at different entry points across the border and all DCs, civil surgeons have already been given necessary instructions in this regard.
“Airports, land ports, seaports have been directed to take necessary
measures and scanning machines set up at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and hand scanning machines also set up in other places,” said Maleque.
He said a separate isolated cabin has been open at Kurmitola General
Hospital and Infectious Diseases Hospital in Dhaka has been taken special measures for providing treatment to coronavirus-infected people.
Health directorate has already introduced a hotline and every passenger at all airports is given a card with contact number and necessary instructions about the coronavirus and all the civil surgeons have been directed to make
arrangements of treatment at hospitals, he said.
About the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s directive to bring 317 Bangladeshi
students back home from China, Maleque said Bangladesh government took
initiatives to evacuate the students but the Chinese government is not
allowing anyone to leave the country within the next 14 days.
“Our foreign ministry is maintaining contact with the students . . . we
will evacuate them after withdrawal of Chinese government’s restriction,” the
health minister said.
Replying to a question, the health minister said no ban has so far been
imposed on travelling to China. Bangladesh will follow the instructions from
the World Health Organisation (WHO) in this regard and suggested people not
to travel to China right now.
Asked about a Chinese citizen’s admission to a city hospital, Maleque said
he was admitted to United Hospital with coughing but it is not sure yet what
type of virus has infected him.
Directorate General of Health Services Professor Abul Kalam Azad said, “The
Chinese patient is doing well now and he wants to leave the hospital but
we’ve suggested him to remain under observation for a few days more.”
Health Service Division Secretary Asadul Islam, Health Education and Family
Welfare Division Secretary Md Ali Nur, Director General of Family Planning
Quazi AKM Mohiul Islam, among others, were present at the press conference.
Earlier, an inter-ministerial meeting was held at the health ministry with
Health Minister Zahid Maleque in the chair. The meeting discussed the overall
situation of coronavirus.