People’s lives in danger for vaccine doses

Lives of citizens of the state are now on the verge of great danger due to playing tricks over Covid-19 vaccines, alleged Barrister Rumeen Farhana, a BNP MP from reserved seats for women.

Taking part in supplementary budget discussion in parliament on Sunday, she made the allegation. The parliament session resumed in the morning with Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in the chair.

Joining the discussion, Rumeen Farhana said: "The nation have witnessed playing of tricks over procuring vaccines at the beginning of Covid-19 pandemic. Serum Institute of India was supposed to provide 30 million doses of vaccine to Bangladesh. In spite of paying the prices in advance, Bangladesh received only 7 million doses of vaccine. Meantime, a local pharmaceutical company made a profit of Tk 38 crore. The government did not try to explore other sources of vaccine due to protect its own business interest. Who said this? Our Foreign Minister said it. And, there is no scope of doubt when he makes remarks about an issue."

Demanding the withdrawal of case against Prothom Alo's senior reporter Rozina Islam, people have learnt 'dreadful corruption' in the country's health sector. Reports published in newspapers disclosing that Tk 15 lakh to Tk 20 lakh was taken for giving appointment to each health technician. "She [Rozina Islam] became the victim of serious harassment when she wrote dozens of news reports about the corruption in health sector," Rumeen Farhana said.

The BNP MP said the health sector has witnessed lowest implementation of annual development programmes (ADP) during this year in the last 10 years. The Health Services Division has been able to spend only 25 per cent of its budget allocation during the first 1o months of the last fiscal year, though the health ministry is the most important ministry amid Covid -19 pandemic.

Rumeen Farhana said pillows, curtains and forks were bought at an imaginary prices. Now, the National Institute of Neuroscience is buying a special type of needle at Tk 2,500 though its real price is only Tk 250.

"Despite the repeated directives by the prime minister, why there is no intensive care units (ICUs) at the government hospitals in 42 districts of the country? Medical treatment has now become a lucrative business," she said.