RANGPUR, – The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) today began distribution of health protection materials among partners of the upazila and union parishads working for preventing (COVID-19) spread across the district.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Md. Asib Ahsan launched the program in a function arranged maintaining physical distancing and abiding by the health directives at his conference room here as the chief guest.
The UNDP is distributing personal protective equipment (PPEs) and other health protection materials under its Effective and Accountable Local Government (EALG) project to prevent community transmission of COVID-19 at the grassroots levels.
Presided over by Deputy Director (Local Government) Syed Farhad Hossain, its Assistant Director Rehenuma Tarannum, chairmen and secretaries of union parishads and District Facilitator of UNDP’s EALG Project Md. Matiur Rahman attended the function.
The DC handed over PPEs, gumboots, glasses, hand gloves, hand sanitizers and KN95 masks to union chairmen for distribution among 926 local public representatives, officials and employees to increase confidence in conducting COVID-19 prevention activities.
Besides, the DC handed over 4,734 pieces of KN95 masks, 4,734 pairs of hand gloves, 9,468 pieces each of surgical masks and soaps, 4,734 bottles of hand sanitizers for distribution among 4,734 members of the union and ward level corona prevention committees, standing committees and community clinic management committee members for the purpose.
The chief guest said the union level public representatives are working relentlessly amid COVID-19 pandemic in preparing lists of beneficiaries, distribution of food items, ensuring home quarantine and creating awareness among the rural people.
“Many public representatives and employees have been infected with COVID-19 while conducting their coronavirus prevention activities,” he said, adding that they will be able to distribute these health protection materials by the next week.
He expressed gratitude to the UNDP on behalf of Rangpur district administration for distributing the health care items in a timely manner among the grassroots level public representatives, government officials and employees.
Matiur Rahman said two hand wash devices have been set up in the densely populated areas of 30 union parishads in the district for the purpose of health protection and health habits of the rural people in addition to handing over the health protection materials.
“To keep the hand wash devices running at all times, a volunteer has been appointed at each hand wash point to ensure water supply and soap and activities are underway to create public awareness about the COVID-19 epidemic,” he added.
