The Prime Minister called for the vaccine to be declared a 'Global Public Interest'

The Dhaka Times Desk Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has reiterated her call to declare the Covid-19 vaccine as a 'good of global public interest' while attending a summit on Covid-19 held at the White House.

On the occasion, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that for effective global vaccination program, it is necessary to declare the Covid-19 vaccines as 'goods of global public interest'.

The Prime Minister said this yesterday (Wednesday) in a pre-recorded speech at the White House Global Covid-19 Summit: Ending the Pandemic and Building Back Better Health Security.

US President Joe Biden hosted the virtual summit yesterday (Wednesday) at 11 am local time.

In his address to the conference, US President Joe Biden called on heads of state and government, international organizations, business and private leaders to come together to end the Covid-19 pandemic.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, African President Cyril Ramaphosa and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres among others spoke at the event.

In her speech, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that local production of vaccines should be provided through developing and least developed countries that have the capacity to ensure universal right to vaccination.

The White House told invitees that follow-up events later this year and in early 2022 are being held to hold participants accountable for their commitments.

The Prime Minister said his government has adopted a three-pronged approach to combat the Covid-19 pandemic. "First, adequate medical facilities, equipment, life-saving drugs and resources have been allocated to save lives."

He added that these steps include providing support to protect the livelihoods of our citizens, especially the most vulnerable, and restore economic activity as soon as possible.

Sheikh Hasina said, 'We are also focusing on inclusive growth policy, focusing on improved healthcare system and social safety net program first.'

The Prime Minister also said that secondly, the government is working towards sustainable economic recovery, with emphasis on innovation, employment and investment. Third, he said, is the focus on climate resilience and low carbon emissions.

Sheikh Hasina said about the government's initiatives to combat the Covid-19 pandemic, 'So far we have allocated an incentive package of 15.4 billion dollars, distributed 166 million dollars to 4.4 million beneficiaries, including the poor, elderly, widows, disabled persons and informal sector workers. '

Sheikh Hasina also said that more than 35 million vaccinations have been given this year till September 14.

"We plan to vaccinate 20 million people every month until 80 percent of our population is vaccinated by August 2022," the Prime Minister said.

Things to do to prevent Corona virus

# stay at home all the time.
# Follow the rules and use mask when going out for emergency.
# three-layer cloth mask can be washed if desired.
# wash clothes after coming home from outside. Or hang it without shaking for at least four hours.
# Wash hands thoroughly (for at least 20 seconds) with soap or liquid before coming outside.
# plastic PPE or eyes, face, head must be washed thoroughly with detergent and dried after one use.
# Wear PPE made of cloth or clean as described.
# Use a head cap that completely covers the hair.
# Those who have sneeze cough should follow all the rules promulgated by the government. Also, wash hands as directed before and after handling food items, keys, switches, mice, remote controls, mobiles, watches, computer desks, TVs, etc. and after using the bathroom. Those who have dry hands use Moisture after washing their hands. Soap or hand liquid can be used. Why can this virus remain in the crackle (cracked part) of dry hands? Avoid using highly alkaline soaps or detergents.