Bangladesh stands out in ensuring COVID-19 vaccine for the nationals

Bangladesh stood out from the rest on COVID-19 vaccination issue. While many countries are still struggling to ensure vaccine for their nationals, Bangladesh government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, already started the vaccination program; that too very strategically and successfully.

When the whole world was confused, Bangladesh government stepped forward and attempted to ensure vaccine doses for the people. Private sector player Beximco Pharma showed farsightedness and contacted various organizations across the world. It approached Serum Institute of India at one point and invested with the company in order to buy the vaccine for COVID-19. Later Serum Institute of India made Beximco Pharma its distributor in Bangladesh. Beximco, which is co-owned by dynamic business personality and politician Salman F Rahman, made it possible for the government to buy the vaccine from Serum Institute. The government initially brought 3 crore dozes. First lot reached the country on 25 January.

Later in an interview, Salman F Rahman, stated that it was possible to bring the COVID-19 vaccine so early while other countries were straggling because Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina could fell the necessity and took bold decision of buying the vaccine after investing with Serum Institute of India.

In a public statement Prime Minister Shiek Hasina said – “We made the advance payment to Serum Institute when the research was still going on and the World Health Organisation was yet to provide the approval for the vaccine. But I made the payment in advance so that we can get it early.”

The first lot of vaccine came to Bangladesh on 25 January by air. It was then taken to Beximco Pharma’s warehouse. Later Beximco Pharma, which is one of the leading pharmaceuticals of the country, distributed the vaccine to 64 districts across the country. From 7 February, government’s vaccination program started. Experience of the vaccine operation has been very impressive and the government deserves compliments for the efforts. The effort nevertheless has been getting acclaimed by various fronts across the world.

There were doubts about availability of vaccine among the common people at the initial stage but now everyone is confident about it and applauding the government’s efforts.

The Prime Minister Shiek Hasina, Directorate General of Health Services, Beximco Group, especially Salman F Rahman deserves compliments for the achievements.

Despite attacks from some fronts, they worked hard and made sure that general people of the country get vaccine at the shortest time. Salman F Rahman’s contribution and steps taken in time of crisis will be remembered for long.