The production of another 10,000 pieces of PPE is currently underway, the Yunus Centre said in a media statement.

Steps have been taken for the import of specific cloth and seam sealing tape that will be used for manufacturing 20,000 PPE gowns for doctors, nurses and health personnel performing duties in Intensive Care Units (ICU).

These raw materials are expected to arrive by April 18.

Grameen Fabrics and Fashion Ltd are working continuously to produce 50,000 PPEs including 20,000 pieces of highest grade, the statement said.

These are all being produced with the financial support of Grameen Telecom.

To combat the COVID-19 pandemic, the government and all private and public enterprises and institutions in the country are working relentlessly to ensure healthcare, personal safety and food security during these trying times, Yunus Centre said.

The Grameen group of organisations has also come forward along with others with various initiatives to tackle the challenge, it said.

During the initial production, these PPEs were distributed to Kurmitola General Hospital, Kuwait Moitri Hospital, Health Division of Hazrat Shah Jalal International Airport, Sir Salimullah Medical College and Mitford Hospital, Khulna Children's Hospital, Ambulance Owners Cooperative Society, Uttara Women’s Medical College and Hospital, DSK Hospital, Swisscontact Bangladesh, Uttara Modern Hospital, and Bangladesh Medical Association.

Steps have been taken for the import of additional life saving equipment which Grameen Telecom is unable to produce on its own at this stage, said the Yunus Centre.

Within the next ten days, Grameen Telecom will receive 200,000 surgical masks, 50,000 N95 masks, 50,000 hand gloves and 10,000 protective goggles, it said.

Grameen Telecom has taken the initiative to supply such emergency equipment to doctors, nurses and health personnel nationally.

These will be given to medical organisations and facilities after necessary consultation with relevant government authorities.

Grameen Telecom is requesting all enterprises who are facing any shortage of such equipment to write to them immediately at [email protected]

Preference will be given to those whose requirement is more urgent.

The government announced a general holiday, shut down mass transport and restricted movement of people to tackle the coronavirus outbreak. The country has so far confirmed 482 cases and 30 deaths.

Many people have lost their livelihood as factories and businesses and mass transport were closed and people’s movement was restricted. Initially, Grameen has identified 2,500 families who have not received any aid from any organisation or individual.

These families will be given regular food supply until the virus outbreak is over.

Local officers and staff of a many Grameen organisations have taken the responsibility for a fixed number of families all over the country.

Grameen Telecom, Grameen Telecom Trust and Grameen Kalyan, the three Gramen organisations are providing the financial support so that the Gramen organisations can provide basic food items to these 2,500 families, or 10,000 people until the situation improves.