Coordinated Covid-19 response imperative

A strong coordination among the government institutions and NGOs is needed to tackle the challenges created by the Covid-19 pandemic in the country, speakers said at a virtual dialogue yesterday.

They came up with the suggestion in a webinar on "Experiences from the current situation at the grassroots level: Achievements and Challenges", organised by the Citizen's Platform for SDGs, Bangladesh.

Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya, convenor of the platform and distinguished fellow of Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), moderated the event while Badiul Alam Majumdar, secretary of civil society platform Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (Shujan), presided over it.

Badiul Alam said different organisations have taken vast programmes to tackle the pandemic but it should be done in a coordinated manner.

"We have to emphasise three issues -- communication, coordination and community engagement -- to tackle the Covid-19 situation. There is lack of resources and absence of coordination in the country. Data scarcity is also a big problem here," he said.

"Everyone should be more conscious to prevent the pandemic. The government should utilise NGOs and volunteers in this regard," he added.

Rasheda K Choudhury, executive director of Campaign for Popular Education (CAMPE) and former adviser to a caretaker government, said there is a lack of coordination among the NGOs. "Data scarcity should also be addressed." she further said.

Prof Mustafizur Rahman, distinguished fellow of CPD, said natural disasters, including the recent Amphan, posed a challenge amid the pandemic in the country.

"Our country's problems should be resolved at local level through  good coordination. Accurate data is significant to resolve these properly," he added.

Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya suggested that the government take proper policy strategy to implement the SDGs, overcoming the existing situation.