The people of Char must be provided with vaccines at their doorstep as there are many social and economic challenges in such remote areas, said former health and family welfare minister AFM Ruhul Haque.
The former minister came up with the view while giving his speech at a virtual discussion meeting titled ‘Vaccination Rights of People in remote Char areas’ organised by Shamunnay and the National Char Alliance (NCA) on Tuesday.
“The good news is that the government has taken initiatives to produce vaccines in the country as well as increase the availability of vaccines to ensure vaccination to the marginalised people of the country. As a result, it will be possible to meet the demand for vaccines soon", he continued.
Hasin Jahan, Country Director of Water Aid Bangladesh and Ramesh Singh, Country Director of CARE Bangladesh were present as special guests at the meeting, presided by Atiur Rahman, Chairman of Shamunnay and Founder of the National Char Alliance.
Special speakers were SM Manzoor Rashid, Senior Manager, World Vision and Sayeed Mahmud Riadh, Head of Programme, (Coastal and Char Context), Concern Worldwide.
Dr. Atiur Rahman said, ‘Gradually the chain of vaccine supply is getting stronger. It is a huge task to reach people immediately after getting the vaccine. Usually, government, non-government, social organisations must work together. There is no alternative to mass vaccination to revive the country’s economy. Vaccination policy will be one of the most important issues in the upcoming days. The government is coming up with vaccines by facing various challenges and vaccines will also be produced in the country. The government did not give up in the fight against the vaccine of Coronavirus.’
Hasin Jahan, Country Director of Water Aid Bangladesh, said, ‘The interest of the people of Char in getting vaccinated has increased more than before. We must reach the people of Char to ensure their vaccination. Therefore, there is a need to come up with a real sensible strategy”.
Ramesh Singh, Country Director of CARE Bangladesh, said, ‘None of us is safe now amidst the Corona disaster. Significant parts of the people, living in the Chars, are out of vaccination programme. Government and non-government organisations need to work together to ensure that the people of Char are vaccinated.
The meeting was moderated by Zahid Rahman, Member Secretary of National Char Alliance, according to a press release.
Zinia Sharmin, a researcher of Samunnay, presented a survey presentation conducted on 34 Char areas to understand the real scenario of vaccines to be reached at the people in remote Char areas. Representatives of Char Alliance from Kurigram, Rajbari, Lalmonirhat, Patuakhali, Gaibandha districts including Friendship, GUK, SKS, Unnayan Sangha, Ecco-cooperation participated in the meeting.