ADB approves $100m to support Covid-19 response in BD

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Thursday approved a $100 million loan to support Bangladesh in its efforts to address the immediate public health requirements for fighting the Covid-19 pandemic.

"ADB stands with Bangladesh in this difficult time when the Covid-19 pandemic challenges the country's recent successes in socio-economic development," said ADB Vice-President Shixin Chen. 

ADB Vice-President Shixin Chen

"This project will help strengthen Bangladesh's response to the Covid-19 outbreak by providing urgently needed health equipment, medical supplies, diagnostic systems, and upgrading the capacity of the health workforce."

The Covid-19 Response Emergency Assistance Project will equip 17 medical college hospitals with isolation and critical care units. Capacity and quality of at least 19 laboratories will be upgraded with coronavirus microbiological diagnostic facilities. 

At least 3,500 health sector workers – about 50 percent of whom are women – will be trained in modern skills and knowledge. 

ADB has released a $350,000 emergency grant for the procurement of medical supplies and equipment, and $1.3 million from an existing project to provide one-time cash support to 22,619 healthcare trainees.