BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today underscored the need for forming a national committee to curb and prevent the spread of coronavirus across the country.

"We want to cooperate with the government instead of criticising them. Let's work together to fight the coronavirus," Fakhrul said.

Talking to reporters at his Uttara residence in Dhaka, Fakhrul said no national committee had yet been formed to deal with the issue.

"We think there is still time to form a national committee and that will be a good step towards facing the challenges," the BNP leader said.

Fakhrul said the PM should take the initiative with political leaders and civil society members, and she can do this through a video conference.

He said leaders and activists of his party are engaged in giving out food items among the destitute to shoulder their burden of hardship amid the coronavirus outbreak.

About the income of the poor, he said the country would invite a major disaster if an effective plan to deal with the crisis was not designed immediately.

"I think, it will be fruitful if we can engage the army, public representatives at grassroots levels and leaders of all political parties in the efforts," Fakhrul said.

Fakhrul also expressed concern as doctors were not available in hospitals to treat patients who are not infected with the coronavirus-like symptoms.

"We are frequently saying that the issue will have to be dealt with on humanitarian grounds instead of political sentiments," he said.