“People don’t know when and how they’ll get the vaccine. The government has signed an agreement with India for the vaccine. One and a half to two and a half crore people may get this vaccine,” he said.

GM Quader said, “But no one knows how the remaining 15-16 crore people will have it. So, the anxiety of people about the availability of the corona vaccine is not reducing.”

Also read: Bangladesh needs to look for alternative sources to have vaccines: GM Quader

He made the remarks while exchanging views with journalists at a city hotel.

Stating that the new strains of coronavirus are being found in different places of the world, the Jatiya Party chief warned that people will face a terrible situation if the virus spreads further in the country.

He alleged that corona-infected people are not getting proper treatment at hospitals in divisional cities and district towns. “Corona treatment is available at some government hospitals in the capital and at different private hospitals. But it’s so expensive that common people can’t afford it at private hospitals.”

Also read: No business over Covid vaccine: GM Quader

GM Quader said people still do not know what steps the government has taken to provide, transport and distribute the corona vaccine. “We also have no visible policy over who will be vaccinated on a priority basis.”

He said the fatalities from Covid-19 are much lower in the country as some sort of immunity has developed in people’s bodies by staying in an unhealthy environment and consuming adulterated food and water and inhaling polluted air. “Had the corona-infected people got some treatment, the number of deaths would have been very small in the country.”

The Jatiya Party chairman also said the health ministry cannot claim credit for the lower death rate from coronavirus. “Hospitals still don’t have the required number of doctors. Steps have been taken to improve the corona treatment at some public hospitals. But no one knows when this work will be completed.”

Also read: Vaccine should be free for all: GM Quader

He suggested the government to keep a sufficient amount of rice in silos to face any bad situation as no one knows when the corona pandemic will be over.   

“Many countries in the world don’t export rice. Because rice is not available even with huge money when it’s needed during the crucial time. So, it's important to stockpile rice by the government even if it costs some extra money,” GM Quader said.