Dhaka: The Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS), with backing from the Government of Japan, today handed over approximately 3.5 lakh crucial medical items, including dengue and cholera kits and oral saline, to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). The ceremony took place at the DGHS conference room in the capital this morning.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, BDRCS and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in Bangladesh jointly facilitated the transfer of medical supplies. The initiative, supported by the Government of Japan and the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF), aims to bolster Bangladesh’s healthcare system and enhance its capacity to tackle dengue, COVID-19, and other emerging infectious diseases.
The donation includes 120,000 dengue test kits, 68,000 COVID-19 antigen test kits, 25,000 RT-PCR test kits, and 220,000 cholera treatment items, along with saline solutions and other medical materials. Additionally, five major government hospitals-Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital, Barishal Medical College and Hospital, Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College (Gazipur), Khulna Medical College and Hospital, and Faridpur Medical College and Hospital-received hematocrit testing devices and bedside ultrasound machines.
The event revealed that this support is part of a stockpile project led by BDRCS and IFRC, which aims to enhance preparedness and rapid response capacities for infectious disease outbreaks, ensuring timely access to essential medical supplies. Takahashi Naoki, Minister (DCM) of the Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh, reaffirmed Japan’s ongoing commitment to the health and wellbeing of the people of Bangladesh.
DGHS Director General Professor Dr Md Abu Zafar expressed gratitude for the timely medical support from the Embassy of Japan, IFRC, BDRCS, and ASEF. BDRCS Secretary General Dr Kabir Md Ashraf Alam highlighted the vital role of BDRCS volunteers and staff in emergency healthcare delivery, while Head of the IFRC Delegation in Bangladesh Alberto Bocanegra emphasized the long-term resilience being built through this joint initiative.
Professor Dr Md Halimur Rashid, Professor Dr Md Farhad Hossain, Dr Shahana Jafar, and Professor Dr Md Abu Hanif, Director (Administration) of DGHS, also spoke at the event.