Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday said the Ministry of Health showed enough efficiency in checking the Covid-19 pandemic in the country by properly taking necessary measures in time, UNB reports.
“We’ve been able to keep this Covid-19 under control as instant measures, which were necessary at that time, had been taken properly,” she said.
The prime minister was speaking at the signing ceremony of the Annual Performance Agreements (APAs) with ministries and divisions for the 2020-21 fiscal year.
The APA and Integrity Awards were also distributed at the virtual function held at the conference room of the Public Administration Ministry. The prime minister joined the function from her official residence, Ganobhaban, through a videoconference.
Sheikh Hasina said many doctors, nurses and other health workers died while serving patients. “Our health workers don’t sit idle,” she said.
Referring to huge criticisms of the health ministry, she said, “There’s a section of people who have the habit of criticising [govt], but they themselves do nothing.”
The prime minister said they once criticised the government's move to build a digital Bangladesh, but now they keep spreading propaganda taking advantage of the Digital Bangladesh. “I think it depends on self-confidence whether we’re on the right path, no matter who says what.”
She asked the government officials to work with self-confidence without paying attention to any criticism.
“When you all do your own work, do it with self-confidence. You won’t be able to work if you pay heed to who says what or who does what. You’ll have to keep trust in yourselves.... If you have it, the people of the country will benefit from your work,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina asked the public servants to stand by the people of the country as it is their duty to serve them.
She said they came to power with people’s mandate and that is why they are pledge-bound to people.
At the function, Agriculture Minister Dr Muhammad Abdur Razzaque, on behalf of the prime minister, signed the APAs, while senior secretaries and secretaries to the ministries and divisions inked those on behalf of their respective agencies.
The agriculture minister, on behalf of the prime minister, handed over crests and certificates to them in recognition of outstanding performances in implementing APAs with integrity.
