Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that the SAARC countries need mutual cooperation to fight Corona. She expressed special thanks to PM Modi as he united the leaders of SAARC countries.
She said this during a video conference with the SAARC countries heads of government and their representatives on Sunday (March 15).
Sheikh Hasina said, we have formed three committees to combat corona. Those who are suffering from corona in our country all came from outside. We have our hospital ready. Separate beds have been kept in each government hospital. The nurses and doctors were kept ready.
We are working to raise awareness against corona. Awareness is also being created among our school children. To cope with the disease at the same time SAARC Health Ministers and Secretaries can also hold such video conferences.
Those coming from abroad are being kept in quarantine, she said We have taken steps to prevent the disease from spreading countrywide - the Prime Minister added.
At the video conference on combating coronavirus, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, we will take preparation for combating coronavirus, but will not create panic.
In the SAARC region, about one-fifth of the world's population live, he said. Everyone lives very closely. We have to work together. We will share India's experience. We will be prepared, but not be panicked.
Referring to the cautionary measures taken by the Indian government to combat the deadly coronavirus, Narendra Modi also said that India has taken steps slowly. We put restriction to travel, 66 labs have been created. Physicians and nurses have been given training.
At the video conference, President Ashraf Ghani said, we are poor countries, we must deal with this crisis together. The Afghan President thanked Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking the initiative to organize the video conference.
Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Soli said that no country alone can cope with this disease. 30 people have been identified in the Maldives with the virus. However, no one died. All are kept in quarantine. Many people come to tour in the Maldives. If someone comes in and feels ill, they have been arranged for treatment. The coronavirus crisis has posed a bigger challenge than ever.
He said Maldives' economy is dependent on tourism. This crisis has affected us. Tourists from China and Europe have not visited the country as tourists which have inflicted the loss of 450 million dollars.
Srilankan President Gotavaya Rajapakse said, many of our people work in Italy and South Korea. I can not stop them from coming home. However, they are being kept in the mandatory quarantine when they arrive. The activities of schools, colleges, universities have been reduced. No one was killed here. However, some Italian tourists had some infections that infected our few people. A national task force has been formed in the country to take any urgent decision.