Bangladesh has been able to contain the spread of coronavirus and keep the wheels of economy run for vaccinating 85 per cent of its population, health minister said on Monday.
"Around 170 million doses of vaccines have been given so far on the back of endeavour made by the department of health," added Dr Zahid Maleque.
In consequence, he said, Bangladeshis are getting more job opportunities abroad resulting in the renewed growth of economic activity.
The minister made the remarks while addressing a programme as the chief guest to inaugurate 126 new dialysis beds at four government hospitals.
They are Kurmitola, Mughda, Mitford and Suhrawardy hospitals.
The event was hosted at Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College and Hospital in the city's Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area, according to a health ministry statement.
Highlighting the success of vaccination activities, Dr Maleque said while some African countries are struggling with vaccination, Bangladesh is moving ahead with various activities.
"Still, we've 100-million vaccine doses in stock," he said, adding that those who are reluctant to vaccination should keep in mind that most of the latest Covid victims are unvaccinated.
"We should bear in mind that 75 per cent of deaths from Covid-19 are currently unvaccinated. They are also atop the list of the infected," he said.
Highlighting the health sector's endeavour, the minister said the government was establishing four medical universities and 20 new medical colleges.
Development projects are ongoing to install 10 ICU beds along with 10 dialysis beds in each district hospital, he added.
Inaugurating the new dialysis beds, Dr Maleque said the government has also increased the capacity of Suhrawardy Hospital from 800 beds to 1300 beds through vertical expansion.
Health Services Department senior secretary Lokman Hossain Miah, DGHS director general Prof Dr Abul Bashar Mohammed Khurshid Alam and Suhrawardy Hospital director Prof Khalilur Rahman, among others, joined the event.
