Chinese medical supplies on the way

Bangladesh is in close touch with China in an attempt to stem further spread of novel coronavirus in the country.

Both the foreign minister and the health minister had several meetings with the Chinese ambassador Li Jiming after the outbreak of coronavirus in the country, according to senior officials from Bangladesh foreign ministry and the Chinese embassy in Dhaka.

When asked, foreign minister Dr AK Abdul Momen said that since China had gathered experience in the fight against coronavirus that causes Covid-19 illness, Bangladesh can greatly benefit from its resources.

"The Chinese has the capacity to supply us with necessary equipment and they have told us that they are ready to provide all kinds of supply and assistance," the minister told the FE.

"And we have told them that now we are in need of the equipment. They are very nice," he said.

The Chinese government has assured Bangladesh of sending the necessary medical stuffs as soon as possible, he said.

Initially, the government had planned to bring the equipment by cargo, but "now we are bringing it by a chartered flight," the minister noted.

Asked whether any joint working committee was formed, the minister said designated officials of the foreign ministry are keeping close contact with the Chinese embassy in Dhaka.

Dr Momen also said his ministry is facilitating supply of necessary medical equipment from China as per the requirement of the Health Ministry.

"We do not have the crisis of fund. The Prime Minister has already allocated Tk 200 crore (2.0 billion) in the fight against the deadly virus, the foreign minister said.

Deputy chief of mission of the Chinese embassy Hualong Yan said that testing kits and preventive equipment sought by Dhaka were on way to Dhaka.

Embassy officials said that the Chinese envoy had a meeting with the health minister on Sunday to chart the ways for the Chinese assistance to Bangladesh to help the latter to combat Covid-19.

"In the face of Covid-19 outbreak, China and Bangladesh have always stood together and helped each other," Mr Yan told the FE.

Bangladesh sought cooperation from Chinese experts and medical team so that they can train the local health experts and physicians in preventing the virus that emerged from Wuhan in late December, officials said.

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