PM allays fear of crisis
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday assured the people that there won't be any crisis of consumer goods in the country.
"There will be no problem regarding consumer goods. We've started importing [goods] from Ukraine and Russia as well," she said.
The PM was addressing the 5th National Conference of Swadhinata Chikitsak Parishad (Swachip), a pro-Awami League professional body of physicians, at the capital's Suhrawardy Udyan.
"Though there is a problem over payment with dollars due to sanctions [on Russia], the government is taking steps for an alternative [payment] system."
Hasina said Bangladesh still has enough reserves to meet the import expenditures for five months. "Still, we've the reserves to meet the import expenditures for five months, not for three months."
Coming down heavily on the critics of the government on the reserves issue, she said now all have become experts on the reserves and economy.
The premier said the reserves reached $48 billion during the Covid-19 restrictions. The reserves were only above $5 billion in 2009.
Hasina said the government had to spend a lot of money from the reserves to procure Covid-19 vaccines, testing kits and other equipment to fight the pandemic. Now the government needs to import edible oil, wheat and other consumer goods at high prices amid the war and economic sanctions, she added.
The PM said the government has been taking proper steps to ensure the availability of consumer goods. "The reserves have declined not only in our country but also in many countries of the world."
Hasina said now a rumour is being spread that there is no money in banks, and the clients would not get back their deposits.
She said many people keep money in houses withdrawing it from banks due to this rumour. "Keeping money in houses creates scope for thieves, doesn't it? ... Now it's up to the people whether they would keep their money in the banks or give it to thieves."
Hasina reiterated her call to the people not to leave even an inch of land uncultivated to ensure that Bangladesh won't need to import food items at higher prices amid the global crisis.
She said the AL government handed over power in a very peaceful manner in 2001, which is the only instance of peaceful change in power in the history of Bangladesh.
"We always want political stability and the continuation of democracy."
Focusing on her government's successes and steps taken in the health sector, the PM said her government took programmes for the healthcare development.
She said the Awami League government established the first medical university -- Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) -- during its 1996-2001 tenure. "But the pro-BNP physicians obstructed the move at that time."
Noting that her government also set up a medical university in Chattogram, Rajshahi and Sylhet, Hasina said theyare establishing a medical university in every division and a medical college in every district in phases.
She also highlighted the introduction of digital health services, including telemedicine services and health call centres; setting up of community clinics, increasing of beds and manpower at government hospitals.
"Our healthcare policy is pro-people. As a result, the maternal and child mortality rates have declined. Our successes in the health sector are now internationally recognised."
Hasina also unveiled the name plaque of the permanent central office of Swachip through a virtual platform.
AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader, Swachip President Iqbal Arslan and General Secretary MA Aziz also spoke at the function.
The last Swachip national conference was held in November 2015.
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