PM underscores need for massive vaccination

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said she has instructed the authorities concerned to inoculate the people massively with Covid-19 vaccines to ensure protection of all.

“We have started purchasing vaccines. Inoculation has already started. We have to ensure massive vaccination so that all the people of our country are protected (from coronavirus). We have already given instruction to this end,” she said.

The Prime Minister said this in a function on the occasion of the National Public Service Day and distribution of the Public Administration Award 2020 and 2021, organised by the Public Administration Ministry at the Osmani Memorial auditorium here.

Joining the function virtually from her official Ganabhaban residence in the capital, she called upon the public servants to work for the welfare of the country and its people, announcing actions for wrongdoings and awards for good works.

The premier reiterated her vow to spend as much money as required to purchase the required doses of vaccines to make sure that none remains out of the inoculation.

Mentioning that as many as 1.87 crore people have so far been brought under the vaccination, she said that her government would purchase vaccines for all, including students and teachers, and continue the inoculation until everyone comes under the vaccination campaign.

“We will produce vaccines in the future so that the people of the country face no more difficulties,” she added.

The Prime Minister said that Bangladesh is currently facing hurdles in every sector, particularly in social, economic and education sectors, adding that they have to pay attention to overcome impediments at the quickest possible time.

She asked the government officials to make people aware to abide by the health guidelines to check further transmission of the coronavirus.

The Prime Minister earlier unveiled covers of two memorial books, editions of writings of the public servants regarding initiatives taken by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mijibur Rahman for the development of the public administration.    

On behalf of the Prime Minister, Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque distributed gold medals, cheques, crests and certificates among the winners of the Public Administration Awards of 2020 and 2021.

As many as 10 awards were given to the officials while one to an organization at the national level and five awards among officials at the district level for 2020 while 11 awards were given to officials and two organizations at the national level and seven awards to the officials at the district level for 2021.  

State Minister for Public Administration Ministry Farhad Hossain, MP, and Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam also spoke at the function while Senior Secretary of the ministry KM Ali Azam gave the welcome address.

A video documentary on the activities of the public administration was screened on the occasion.