Bangladesh National Awami Party (Bangladesh NAP) on Thursday demanded the removal of Health Minister Zahid Malik for failing to stem the spread of coronavirus in the country.
In a statement, Chairman of Bangladesh NAP Jebel Rahman Ghaani and General Secretary M Golam Mostafa Bhuiyan said that the health ministry, which is marred by corruption, has failed to take effective preventive measures against the coronavirus despite getting enough time after the virus broke out in China. They couldn’t provide personal protective equipment (PPE) on time to doctors and health workers who are fighting on the frontline against the virus, they added.
The two leaders said that the minister should be relieved of his duty to build a strong coordinated healthcare services through providing the equipments for intensive care units, and supplying ventilations to the necessary government and private hospitals. Blaming Zahid Malik for falling to ensure treatment for Dr Moeyeen Uddin, who died of the virus, the party demanded immediate resignation of the minister and removal of heath secretary and DG.
Dr Moyeen, who treated the coronavirus, died from the virus without treatment is the evident that our health sector has totally collapsed, the statement said.
The two NAP leaders urged the government to ensure their personal safety to the medical workers in fighting the virus and to announce incentives for them, it reads.
Referring to the physical assault to a man by a local union parishad chairman in Natore over seeking relief, leaders of the Bangladesh NAP said our public representatives showed their true colour during the crisis and they will be more brutal if the crisis passes, the statement added.
