DHAKA: The World Bank (WB) approved a $100 million financing to help Bangladesh fight against the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic and strengthen its national systems for public health emergencies.
The COVID-19 Emergency Response and Pandemic Preparedness Project will roll out nation-wide to help upgrade selected health facilities and laboratories to detect, manage and treat suspected and confirmed COVID-19 cases and support screening in Bangladesh’s designated health facilities and entry points.
The World Bank issued a press release in this regard on Saturday (April 4).
It will benefit people with suspected and confirmed infections, at-risk populations, medical and emergency personnel, as well as public and private service providers, medical and testing facilities, and the national health system.
Mercy Tembon, World Bank Country Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan said, “The World Bank is working closely with the Government of Bangladesh to fight the spread of COVID-19.”
She also said, “This project will support the implementation of Bangladesh’s national plan to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, it will help strengthen the country’s response by ensuring that effective surveillance and diagnostic systems are in place and that medical supplies, personal protective equipment, ventilators and isolation units are available in designated hospitals.”
The project will equip designated laboratories with COVID-19 trained staff as well as diagnostic equipment, test kits, and reagents. It is mobilizing resources for faster procurement to expedite the acquisition of critical items.
The press release said to deliver critical medical support and cope with the increased demand for services, the project will rehabilitate district-level health facilities, selected Medical College hospitals, the Infectious Diseases Hospital, and the Bangladesh Institute of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, among others.
It will help set up new isolation wards and ramp up intensive care units, provide personal protective equipment, medical equipment including ventilators, and medicines in designated hospitals. The project will also help improve medical waste management and disposal, and water and sanitation systems in the designated health facilities.
The project will help develop guidelines for treatment and hospital infection control, train medical professionals and health workers.
Besides, it will help the government design and implement behavioral change communication campaigns for social distancing and improved hygiene practices.
The project is financed from the International Development Association (IDA), the World Bank’s fund for the poorest countries, through the World Bank Group’s COVID-19 Fast Track Facility. The credit has a 30-year maturity, including a five-year grace period.
BDST: 1755 HRS, APR 04, 2020
SMS
