Vaccines to be procured no matter what: PM Hasina
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday reaffirmed said the federal government will procure vaccines no matter what to protect persons from coronavirus.
"We’re bringing more vaccines, regardless of how much money is necessary; we’ll bring more vaccines," she said.
The Prime Minister said this while providing cash support of Tk 2,500 to each 36.5 lakh low-income families engaged in various occupations so that they are able to survive amid the pandemic.
She inaugurated the disbursement of the financial assistance for these marginalised families joining it from her official residence Ganobhaban nearly with deputy commissioners’ offices of Bhola, Joypurhat and Chattogram.
Each family will directly receive Tk 2,500 through G2P (Government-to-Person) as the money will be sent through mobile financial services (MFS) -- Nagad, bKash, Rocket and SureCash.
The Prime Minister said the federal government is undertaking its vaccination programme since it provides vaccine doses to the people of this country.
Stressing that the government will put in its all-out efforts provided that it really is there, Sheikh Hasina said: "We’re procuring each dose of the vaccine extra cash, but providing it free in order that people can remain safe."
Hasina urged all to check out medical guidelines strictly for securing him/herself and others from deadly Covid-19, whether or not they have taken the vaccine shot or not.
Later, the Prime Minister talked to a cross-section of people, like the beneficiaries of the money support programme of Bhola, Joypurhat and Chattogram districts.
Some over Tk 1,500 crore has been assigned to ease the sufferings of the marginalised persons through the second wave of coronavirus. Immediately after the next wave of the virus came around the corner, the Prime Minister quickly directed to start the actions of humanitarian assistance.
Since April 14 last when the Covid-19 lockdown was enforced, marginalised persons like temporary jobless people, destitute, day-labourers, rickshaw- and van-pullers, transport workers, transgender persons and beggars surviving in urban and rural areas.
As per the PM’s directive, the Disaster Management and Relief Ministry immediately sent Tk 590 crore to field-level administrations to provide support to the needy persons and the disbursement of the amount of money continues, officials said.
Besides, the Prime Minister allocated Tk 10.5 crore against the deputy commissioners from her relief and welfare fund to supply emergency assistance to the indegent and destitute, they said.
The Prime Minister at her own initiative has provided Tk 10 crore to the Journalist Welfare Trust as assistance for the journalists who are facing hardships as a result of fallout of the pandemic.
