COVID-19
Women need targeted support to tackle COVID-19 impact: CPD Dialogue
Speakers at a virtual dialogue on Thursday said fiscal measures would be more effective in easing the burden of the coronavirus pandemic on women than monetary measures.
The government has aptly rolled out a number of liquidity support and fiscal stimulus packages in response to the pandemic, they said.
However, the speakers said, these packages were not designed keeping women in mind, and hence have not been entirely successful in addressing women’s special needs during the pandemic.
They said most women are unaware of the liquidity support while some, who are aware of it, are reluctant to apply for loans.
Due to the economic downturn and the uncertainty regarding the future, women need cash handouts more than loans, they noted.
These observations emerged at the virtual dialogue titled “Socio-Economic Recovery Measures of the Government: How Much Women Have Benefitted” held on Thursday. Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), in partnership with UN Women, hosted the dialogue.
CPD has recently undertaken a study on the theme in collaboration with UN Women. The findings of the study were shared at the dialogue.
This study explores the gender dimension of the government’s COVID-19 policy measures and recommends policies for making the COVID-19 response work for women.
CPD’s Executive Director Dr Fahmida Khatun made the keynote presentation during the virtual dialogue. She presented some of the highlights from a rapid survey on women entrepreneurs’ access to the stimulus package.
In this respect, she focused on a range of issues, such as providing training for women entrepreneurs and improving women’s access to finance.
She also pointed out that child marriage, burden of unpaid care and domestic work, and violence against women have increased during the pandemic.
Commenting on the promotion of the incentive package, chief guest of the event, Planning Minister MA Mannan said everyone should work together to bring this information to the right people.
He mentioned the government recognises the challenges of women during the pandemic and is working towards improving their situation.
Shoko Ishikawa, Country Representative, UN Women Bangladesh Country Office joined the dialogue as a Special Guest and focused on the global picture of women due to pandemic. She mentioned that globally, 47 million women and girls are forced into poverty because of COVID-19. She also added that all packages need to ensure adequate and transparent delivery for women.
Professor Rounaq Jahan, Distinguished Fellow, CPD chaired the dialogue.
She opined that though COVID-19 added disadvantages for women, a plan of action for specific groups to support in specific areas for women entrepreneurs need to be prepared.
A task force might be formed to monitor the progress of this work.
MSMEs are in the informal financial system and their issues cannot be solved unless they are taken to the formal banking/financial channel, said Dr Lila Rashid, former Executive Director, Bangladesh Bank.
Selim RF Hussain, Managing Director and CEO, BRAC Bank stated that banks should also focus on investing in non-financial advisory services for women entrepreneurs.
Shaheen Anam, Executive Director, Manusher Jonno Foundation; Kaniz Almas, CEO & Managing Director, Persona; Dr Fauzia Moslem, President, Bangladesh Mahila Parishad and Vidiya Amrit Khan, Director, Desh Group of Companies joined the virtual dialogue and delivered their remarks as distinguished discussants.
The dialogue was participated by relevant government officials, business leaders, development activists, experts and academia, representatives from the development partners and media professionals.
Covid-infected Rajshahi MP Fazle Hossain airlifted to Dhaka
Fazle Hossain Badsha, MP of Rajshahi-2 who contracted Covid-19, has been brought to Dhaka from Rajshahi by a MI-17 helicopter of Bangladesh Air Force.
The MP was undergoing treatment at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital and was brought to Dhaka on Thursday after deterioration of his physical condition, says a media release of Inter Service Public Relations (ISPR).
Also read: Covid-19: Bangladesh’s death toll crosses grave milestone of 10,000
Later, he was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for better treatment.
Lockdown: Many in Dhaka ignore restrictions in open defiance
Although the streets in Dhaka city had taken a deserted look on the first day of the nationwide fresh eight-day lockdown on Wednesday, the movement of people, private vehicles and rickshaws increased on its second day on Thursday.
Shops and shopping malls remained closed as the government has enforced a stricter lockdown to stem the spread of Covid-19 cases.
Also Read: Lockdown: 60,000 people register for movement pass
Rickshaws were seen plying roads in different areas, including Dilu Road, Mohakhali, Bijoy Sarani and Manik Mia Avenue as people are hiring the slow-moving three wheelers to reach their destinations in absence of alternative transports.
Police and Rab members were seen monitoring the movement of vehicles and people after setting up check-posts at different parts of the capital.
They were asking people why they got out of home. Those who were failing to show the ‘movement pass’ or any valid reason of going out were being fined.
Asaduzzaman, a traffic Inspector in Mohakhali area, said: “We don’t allow anyone to move without valid any reason. Those who’re failing to show any valid reason are either sued or fined. However, we didn’t put any pressure on anyone on humanitarian grounds.”
A long queue of vehicles was seen on Kuril Biswa Road as police were checking each vehicle.
However, kitchen markets were found violating the government directives as they are not seen running their business in open spaces. Besides, some were seen ignoring health guidelines.
Amid the devastating Covid-19 situation, the government enforced a fresh eight-day lockdown on Tuesday to contain the spread of coronavirus.
The Cabinet division issued a notification in this regard on Monday. The lockdown will remain in force from 6:00 am Wednesday (April 14) till April 21 midnight.
Lockdown instructions
Under the fresh lockdown, all the government, semi-government, autonomous, private offices and financial institutions will remain closed.
All modes of public transports, including those of road, river, railway and air, will remain suspended during the lockdown.
However, the restriction will not be effective in the case of carrying goods, emergency services and production. But industries and factories will remain open on condition of maintaining health protocols.
Also Read: Relaxed lockdown taken as license to ignore social distancing
The offices, staffers and vehicles of the organisations providing emergency services, including law enforcement, agricultural products (fertilizer, seeds, pesticides, machinaris), crops, food laden vehicles, relief distribution, health services, health workers involved in mass inoculation, power, water, gas, fire services, port activities, media (print and electronic media), private security management, telephone, and postal services will remain out of the purview of the restriction.
People’s movement will be restricted and no one will be allowed to go outside except for emergency needs (to purchase medicines, daily essentials, to take medical services and burial/ cremation of dead bodies, taking Covid-19 jabs etc).
Hotels and restaurants can operate with takeaway/online services only from 12 pm to 7 pm and 12 am to 6 am. No one will be allowed to take food sitting in hotels or restaurants.
The government imposed a 'loose' nationwide lockdown for one week from April 5 as part of its move to contain the spike in both coronavirus infections and fatalities.
But the government allowed the resumption of public transport in city corporation areas from April 7 as well as reopening shops and shopping malls for five days from April 9 in the face of protests against the lockdown.
The lockdown remained in force until April 13 (Tuesday).
Bangladesh children: The silent victims of the virus
With schools shut down due to the Covid-19 pandemic, most children are now confined to their homes. But many of them are still the victims of the virus, as they are spending maximum time in front of screens these days -- be it mobile phones, laptops, or TV, say experts.
According to the experts, children and their gadgets are inseparable today, and this could be dangerous for their mental and physical health. Add to this: prolonged isolation due to lockdown-related restrictions that are forcing them to stay indoors. And the urban children are the most affected.
Read Covid-19: No ‘O’ level, ‘A’ level exams in 2020-21 session
"Feeling isolated can lead to poor sleep, poor cardiovascular health, lower immunity, depressive symptoms, and impaired executive function,” the American Psychological Association said in a recent study on the mental health of children, in a post-Covid world.
In Bangladesh, the government ordered the closure of all educational institutions on March 17 last year after the country confirmed its first Covid-19 cases on March 8. The closure has been extended several times in the past one year, most recently this month, to protect the students from the virus.
Also read: Working for children’s better future: PM Hasina
As education boards across the country could not hold exams, all the students were promoted, based on the evaluation of their previous test results.
But parents claim their stay-at-home wards have become addicted to gadgets over the past one year, keeping in touch with their friends on social media platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp, studying and playing games on laptops or computers, or connecting with acquaintances on mobile phones -- all at the cost of their health.
Rad 'Urban Slum Children Education Programme' a unique example: Zakir Hossain
Covid-19 lockdown: Khulna hunkers behind shutters
The busy streets of Khulna city wore a deserted look on Wednesday, with vanishingly few residents seen out in public at the onset of a fresh seven-day lockdown, with stricter enforcement expected of rules that are already stricter in response to the Second Wave of Covid-19.
All shops except for pharmacies and groceries were shut on Wednesday. Even the always-bustling Shibari intersection, known for a chronic bustle, is almost silent.
The streets were empty. There was no public transport except for a few rickshaws and pushcarts.
Those spotted on the sidewalks were people out for shopping or are hospital employees or emergency service workers.
Also read: Fresh lockdown in Bangladesh: Experts skeptical about having any great result
The nationwide new lockdown that started on Wednesday will continue until April 21.
The law enforcers were seen occupying the city intersections. Police teams were also spotted patrolling the streets. Anyone who was out on the street, defying the government-imposed restrictions, was stopped by them.
All the offices in the city are closed now. However, the emergency services are still running. And the emergency service workers are either moving on foot or using their vehicle.
Mofassil Alam, a showroom owner in Moilapota intersection, said: "We have closed our showrooms following the government's restrictions. We will welcome the customers back if there is a new instruction in this connection."
Also read: Bangladesh put under complete lockdown amid Covid spike
Pilot, a tea seller at Shibari intersection, said: "There are not many customers as Ramadan has begun. The lockdown has also begun. So, I've kept my store shut."
Rickshaw puller Md Moni said, "This lockdown has been very harsh on us. My income has collapsed as the first day of the lockdown wears on. What am I going to eat now?"
The cabinet division on Monday issued a notification declaring a strict lockdown to contain the spike in Covid-19 infections.
All offices, public transport, markets, shopping malls, shops, hotels and restaurants will remain closed until midnight on Apr 21. However, factories will remain open and limited banking services will be available.
Bangalees celebrate Pahela Baishakh virtually amid lockdown
The pomp and colour associated with Pahela Baishakh was absent as people celebrated the event virtually for the second consecutive year amid restrictions imposed to contain the transmission of coronavirus.
The first day of Bangla calendar also saw the country shattering its single-day Covid-19 fatalities record.
With a lockdown in place, festivities and cultural events to mark the Bangla New Year were all held virtually.
Symbolic ‘Mangal Shobhajatra-1428’
The marquee events of the day – the traditional ‘Borsho-Boron’ programme by Chhayanaut and the Mangal Shobhajatra parade by the Faculty of Fine Arts, Dhaka University – have all been cancelled.
Also read: After lives & livelihoods: Covid strikes at culture, with Pahela Baishakh forced indoors
Both Chhayanaut and FFA broadcast pre-recorded programmes on national TV.
The Faculty of Fine Arts pre-recorded a unique, symbolic Mangal Shobhajatra for 1428 with the participation of the State Minister for Cultural Affairs and fewer than 20 people.
They showcased their banner and 100 prop items made by students and teachers, including face shields and masks in the symbolic procession.
Online events
Renowned cultural organisations and institutions including Chhayanaut, the Faculty of Fine Arts, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Liberation War Museum Bangladesh and many others have observed the day with online festivities and programmes.
Also read: Chhayanaut cancels Pahela Baishakh festivities at Ramna, goes back to virtual celebration with BTV
Chhayanaut had initial plans to arrange and record their programme at the Ramna Park without a live audience at the dawn of April 14, or pre-record the programme before that.
Instead, they broadcast this year’s festivity through a special collaborative programme with Bangladesh Television (BTV) and also on its YouTube channel Chhayanaut Digital - Platform.
Shilpakala Academy also broadcast a live webinar and cultural programme on its official Facebook page and YouTube channel, which was joined by former Cultural Affairs Minister and eminent thespian Asaduzzaman Noor.
Liberation War Museum and Wrishiz Shilpi Goshthi also held online programmes on Facebook on the occasion.
Also read: Google celebrates Pahela Baishakh with new doodle
This year, April 14 also marks the first day of the holy month of Ramadan in Bangladesh and some other Muslim countries in the world.
On the occasion, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages greeting the countrymen and all Bangla-speaking people across the globe.
Prime Minister Hasina urged everyone to follow health guidelines and celebrate Pahela Baishakh at home, in the wake of a surge in Covid-19 cases.
Denmark stops AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine rollout
Denmark on Wednesday decided to entirely cease administering the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, said the country's health authority during a joint press conference with the Danish Medicines.
"Based on the scientific findings, our overall assessment is there is a real risk of severe side effects associated with using the COVID-19 vaccine from AstraZeneca. We have, therefore, decided to remove the vaccine from our vaccination program," said Soren Brostrom, director general of the Danish Health Authority.
In a press release issued on Wednesday, the authority also claimed that the COVID-19 pandemic was "currently under control" in Denmark, adding that this had contributed to the decision.
Denmark first suspended the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine on March 11, citing "very rare but severe side effects" discovered during the jab's safety monitoring.
Also read: UK advises limiting AstraZeneca in under-30s amid clot worry
Denmark's decision on Wednesday to ditch the AstraZeneca shot came on the heels of the European Medical Agency's (EMA) recent verdict that "the benefits of using the COVID-19 vaccine from AstraZeneca continue to outweigh the risks for people who receive it."
The Danish Health Authority agrees with the EMA's general findings, Brostrom said, adding that
"In the midst of an epidemic, it has been a difficult decision to continue our vaccination program without an effective and readily available vaccine against COVID-19."
However, the authority referred to further comments by the EMA that the "use of the vaccine during vaccination campaigns at the national level should also consider the pandemic situation and vaccine availability in each individual country."
Also read: EU agency: Rare clots possibly linked to AstraZeneca shot
"We are basically in agreement with the EMA's assessment regarding the AstraZeneca vaccine. That is why it is important to emphasize that it is still an approved vaccine," said Brostrom.
"But if Denmark were in a completely different situation and in the midst of a violent third outbreak ... and if we had not reached such an advanced point in our rollout of the vaccines ... then I would not hesitate to use the vaccine, even if there were rare but severe complications associated with using it."
According to the Statens Serum Institut's (SSI) updated overview, 149,884 people in Denmark have received at least one shot and 596 both shots of AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine.
"Those who have received the first injection with AstraZeneca will later receive an invitation to vaccination with another vaccine," the health authority said.
Also read: What we know about AstraZeneca blood clot reports
Meanwhile, Denmark continues to administer the vaccines produced by Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna.
In total, 995,672 Danes have received at least one shot of a COVID-19 vaccine, which corresponds to 17 percent of the population, the SSI said on Wednesday.
Funding for vaccine procurement earmarked in deals with WB, ADB: Dr Meerjady
The government has signed deals with the World Bank and Asian Development Bank to get Covid-19 vaccine shots quickly, Dr Meerjady Sabrina Flora, additional director general of Health Services division, said.
The World Bank has agreed to provide $500 million to Bangladesh in additional financing to buy the Covid-19 vaccine shots, while ADB has agreed to give $940 million, she said on Wednesday at a virtual press conference from the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The $500 million World Bank loan for buying vaccine shots under the "Covid-19 Emergency Response and Pandemic Preparedness Project" will help Bangladesh vaccinate about 54 million people, the multinational lender said on Wednesday.
Also read: Bangladesh inks over $1 b deal with World Bank for responding to COVID-19 pandemic
Also, the World Bank said the project would help Bangladesh procure vaccines; expand storage facilities; and distribute and deploy the vaccines.
However, Sabrina said: "We are in touch with India's Serum Institute about vaccine supply, too. Also, the government is exploring alternative sources of Covid-19 vaccines. "
Sabrina hoped that Bangladesh would get COVAX vaccine doses fast.
Also read: WHO calls for prioritising vaccine contracts with COVAX
COVAX now has agreements in place to access nearly 2 billion doses of several promising vaccine candidates and laid the groundwork for further doses to be secured through contributions from donors, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on December 18, 2020.
"These agreements mean that all COVAX's 190 participating and eligible economies will be able to access doses to protect vulnerable groups in the first half of 2021."
"At least 1.3 billion donor-funded doses will be made available to 92 economies eligible for the Gavi COVAX AMC, targeting up to 20% population coverage by the end of the year," the WHO added.
Also read: ‘We sink or we swim together’: 5 things you need to know about COVAX
However, Sabrina also said: "If the local companies want to make the vaccine, the government will give them maximum support. The Health Minister Zahid Maleque has already visited the factories of several companies; they are making good progress."
DM WATCH to celebrate 8th founding anniversary Thursday
Disaster Management Watch (DM WATCH), a Bangladeshi research and training firm based in Dhaka, is going to celebrate its 8th anniversary on Thursday (April 15, 2021).
As every year, the firm plans to organise various events on the occasion of its founding anniversary.
But in response to the current unforeseeable COVID-19 pandemic crisis, the events will be organised virtually.
However, as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR), the firm has initiated financial assistance on the occasion for the poor and destitute struggling to have bread and butter due to the ongoing lockdown.
Read PM for diversifying export items through research
Online activities include creating a photo frame with the company's eighth-year celebration logo on Facebook; making documentaries for promotion through various social media; sending gifts, e-brochures and e-greeting cards to greet different institutions of Government of Bangladesh, UN agencies, various national and international nongovernmental organisations, donor agencies and the mass media.
Bayazid Hasan, Managing Partner of DM WATCH, greeted and wished relevant stakeholders on this auspicious occasion of the organization.
"My heartiest greetings and wishes to everyone on the 8th founding anniversary of DM WATCH. Greetings of Bangla Noboborsho-1428 as well. DM WATCH steps to a new year at the time when the whole world, including Bangladesh, is combatting the pandemic," he said.
He hoped, from the aspects of social responsibility, the organisation will continue its research affiliation and contribute to the society immensely. "But my foremost prayers and wishes would be, may we again live in a healthy and livable society and nature earth."
Read Focus more on CSR: PM to insurance companies
The firm has been working on different development issues with various partners from both the public and private sectors since 2013 and since then it has been striving for excellence in research and consultancy services and has been moving upward successfully.
Within this short period of time, DM WATCH has gained a special reputation for its excellence in research and promote encouragement to young researchers, and created a unique position for itself due to its diversity and quality of research.
Other Partner of the organization Salma Akhter with her greetings and wishes has said DM WATCH is out and out committed to contribute to the development sectors of Bangladesh through its diversified research excellence.
Read Researches have to be beneficial to country: PM
Bashundhara's 'vanished' 2000-bed hospital was 'too costly' to keep running
Director General of the Health Services Professor ABM Khurshid Alam has slammed the media on recent reporting over scarcity of resources in the health sector, particularly dedicated Covid-19 hospitals.
While healthcare workers and employees of the healthcare sector are risking their lives to fight Covid-19, "some media" are shattering their morale through "illogical criticism," Khurshid Alam said Wednesday at a virtual press conference from the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
2000-bed field hospital did not 'vanish'
About recent reports on the Bashundhara Field Hospital, set up as an isolation centre for 2000 patients at the height of the pandemic in 2020, the DG said: "Running the hospital cost more than Tk60 lakh per month. But it had only 15 to 20 patients.
"The hospital had 400-450 staff including doctors and nurses. Also, more than a thousand officers and employees, including security personnel, would work there," he said.
Also read: 2,000-bed coronavirus isolation unit at ICCB to be opened today
"As the hospital had a low number of patients, it became difficult to bear the cost. So, we had to shut the hospital down. We shifted the equipment from there to hospitals across the country."
Facilities expanded at DNCC's Covid-19 hospital
The DGHS chief also said the Covid-19 Hospital set up in a DNCC market premises in Mohakhali was also wrongly presented in the media, after it was expanded to add 900 general beds. The news was carried out without making any inquiry with the authorities on their plans, he alleged.
"Media reported that we were wasting public money to set up a hospital instead of improving the previous one. But we have a 200-bed ICU ward in the previous establishment of the DNCC Isolation Centre."
Also read: Work on 2,000-bed isolation centre at ICCB underway
"And we have installed 900 more general beds on the nine floors with oxygen supply to each bed. It was not possible to accommodate everything in the previous set-up."
A visibly upset Khurshid said, "We have considered journalists as co-fighters from the beginning in the battle against Covid-19."
"But some criticisms, levelled against us, in the media are shattering our morale. Criticisms follow mistakes, but if someone misleads people through them without knowing or understanding or looking for details, we cannot be okay with that," Khurshid said.
Also read: 2,000-bed isolation unit being set up at Bashundhara Convention Centre: Minister
"Doctors, nurses, health department, health ministry and employees of the healthcare sector have been working non-stop, risking their lives."
"Please do not confuse people and crush our morale; stand with us. We can be wrong, but if anyone brings the mistakes to our attention, we can correct ourselves," Khurshid said.