Tk 50cr ‘misappropriated’ but no guarantee of vaccine: GM Quader

Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Tuesday alleged that Tk 50 core has been ‘misappropriated’ in the name of a tripartite agreement over procuring Covid vaccines, but there is no guarantee of having the second dose of the jabs for 14 lakh people.

“Concerns about the second dose of corona vaccine for the country’s 14 lakh people are not diminishing. The second dose of the vaccine is required between 8 and 12 weeks, but the health directorate can’t give assurance of its availability,” he said.

In a statement, the Jatiya Party Chairman also said uncertainty over the corona vaccine is unfortunate as the country has failed in vaccine diplomacy for lack of farsightedness of the authorities concerned.

Stating that vaccine doses have been imported with an aim to make a profit of crores of taka, he said, “That’s why no alternative source for collecting the vaccine has been kept.”

GM Quader said top officials at the Health Ministry are every day frightening people talking about the third, fourth, and fifth waves of the deadly virus. “They’re trying to avoid their responsibility by blaming the people for it.”

He said the government still cannot clearly present its preparations to tackle coronavirus before people.

“The second dose of corona vaccine must be ensured within the specific time as people are worried about it,” the Jatiya Party chief concluded.

The government launched the mass vaccination program on February 7 with a target of giving three crore doses of AstraZeneca vaccine following an agreement with Serum Institute of India through Beximco Pharmaceuticals Limited.

However, the government suspended giving the first dose of the vaccine on April 26 as the Indian government imposed a ban on vaccine export for meeting its local demand.

There are around six lakh second doses of the vaccine in government hands, but over 20 lakh people are left to receive it after taking the first jab.

Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Tuesday alleged that Tk 50 core has been ‘misappropriated’ in the name of a tripartite agreement over procuring Covid vaccines, but there is no guarantee of having the second dose of the jabs for 14 lakh people.

“Concerns about the second dose of corona vaccine for the country’s 14 lakh people are not diminishing. The second dose of the vaccine is required between 8 and 12 weeks, but the health directorate can’t give assurance of its availability,” he said.

In a statement, the Jatiya Party Chairman also said uncertainty over the corona vaccine is unfortunate as the country has failed in vaccine diplomacy for lack of farsightedness of the authorities concerned.

Stating that vaccine doses have been imported with an aim to make a profit of crores of taka, he said, “That’s why no alternative source for collecting the vaccine has been kept.”

GM Quader said top officials at the Health Ministry are every day frightening people talking about the third, fourth, and fifth waves of the deadly virus. “They’re trying to avoid their responsibility by blaming the people for it.”

He said the government still cannot clearly present its preparations to tackle coronavirus before people.

“The second dose of corona vaccine must be ensured within the specific time as people are worried about it,” the Jatiya Party chief concluded.

The government launched the mass vaccination programme on February 7 with a target of giving three crore doses of AstraZeneca vaccine following an agreement with Serum Institute of India through Beximco Pharmaceuticals Limited.

However, the government suspended giving the first dose of the vaccine on April 26 as the Indian government imposed a ban on vaccine export for meeting its local demand.

There are around six lakh second doses of the vaccine in government hands, but over 20 lakh people are left to receive it after taking the first jab.