ADB approves $100 million loan to support Covid-19 response in Bangladesh

Asian Development Bank (ADB) today approved a $100 million loan to support Bangladesh government in its efforts to address the immediate public health requirements of combating the coronavirus pandemic.

"ADB stands with Bangladesh in this difficult time when the Covid-19 pandemic challenges the country's recent successes in its socioeconomic development," said ADB Vice-President Shixin Chen.

"This project will help strengthen Bangladesh's response to the COVID-19 outbreak by providing urgently needed health equipment, medical supplies, diagnostic systems, and upgrading of the capacity of the health workforce," he said in a press release.

ADB said its "Covid-19 Response Emergency Assistance Project" will support the immediate procurement of equipment and supplies for testing; upgrade of medical infrastructure; and the development of system and community capacities for surveillance, prevention, and response to the pandemic in Bangladesh.

The project will equip 17 medical college hospitals with isolation and critical care units, it said adding, the capacity and quality of at least 19 laboratories will be upgraded with Covid-19 microbiological diagnostic facilities.

"At least 3,500 health sector workers, about 50 percent of whom are women, will be trained in required skills and knowledge, and the recruitment of more health professionals and technical staff will be supported," it also said.