Staff Correspondent: Dhaka, July-15,

 Expanding the vaccine eligibility target, Health Minister Zahid Maleque on Thursday said everyone above 18 years will gradually be vaccinated in Bangladesh.

“Arrangements are being made to gradually bring all citizens above 18 years under the Covid-19 vaccination programme in order to revive the country's education system,” he said. 

Zahid Maleque came up with the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a programme on Covid-19 ICU Bed Expansion and inauguration of the Outpatient Department of Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH).

“At present, the government has 45 lakh doses of vaccines in stock. We’ll receive 29 lakh doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine very soon. Besides, Pfizer vaccine doses will reach the country within the next month,” he added.

“Our health sector has the capacity to store 3 crore doses of vaccine. So, there’ll be no problem in storing and distributing vaccines,” the minister said. He also said a process is underway to recruit 2,000 new doctors and 4,000 nurses to deal with the Covid-19 situation.

The government will also hire technologists all over the country, Zahid Maleque added.

Turning to criticisms against the health sector, the minister said those should be criticized who is spreading propaganda about the sector to confuse people.

“There’s no food crisis in the country, industries are running and health services are available. Then why are there so many conspiracies about the health sector? These are nothing but conspiracies to undermine the achievements of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,” he said.

DMCH director Brigadier General Nazmul Haque presided over the pogamme.