Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain has said that 4,394.08 crore was spent on vaccine procurement.

Replying to a question from treasury bench member Joynal Abedin (Feni-2), the health minister said that from FY2020-21 to date, the government allocated Taka 4,685.22 crore to import and procure COVID-19 vaccines and related equipment to tackle the pandemic.

Of the total allocation, Taka 4,394.08 crore was spent on vaccine procurement, Taka 30.88 crore on procurement of syringes, Taka 19.57 crore crore on transportation of vaccines and syringes across the country, and Taka 99,78,980 on syringe shipping charges.

The minister said no complaint has been filed with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare regarding vaccine procurement.

The minister said the government has been working relentlessly to ensure adequate manpower to improve the quality of healthcare services and maintain continuity in service delivery across the country.

He informed that on January 22 this year, a total of 2,984 assistant surgeons and 279 dental surgeons were recruited through the 48th BCS, while 98 assistant surgeons (MBBS) and 22 dental surgeons were appointed through the 44th BCS.