H E A LT H , N U T R I T I O N A N D P O P U L AT I O N
COVID-19 Emergency Response and
Pandemic Preparedness Project
BASIC APPROVAL END TOTAL IMPLEMENTING
INFORMATION DATE: DATE: COMMITMENT: AGENCIES:
April 03 December 31 $567.5 Ministry of Health and
2020 2024 million Family Welfare
HELPING BANGLADESH SUCCESSFULLY
MANAGED THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
OVERVIEW
The World Bank helped Bangladesh
to test and treat COVID-19 cases by
mobilizing critical supplies including
ventilators, oxygen concentrators,
testing kits and hospital beds. The
World Bank also played a crucial role
in prevention of the disease spread by
supporting the national vaccination
program as well as helping to strengthen
health systems to manage any future
outbreaks.
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COVID-19 EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND
PANDEMIC PREPAREDNESS PROJECT
CHALLENGE RESULTS
Like the rest of the world, Bangladesh faced 46.5% of the total population was vaccinated, with
severe health and economic challenges from 68 million doses of vaccines and 110 million syringes.
the COVID-19 outbreak in early 2020. With the
international supply chain constrained, the
government was desperate to secure emergency 30 public hospitals setup with Liquid medical oxygen systems.
medical supplies, including ventilators, hospital
beds, oxygen supply, and testing machines. It 23 Hospitals have been equipped with 10-bed Intensive
also faced a shortage of good quality personal Care Units (ICU).
protective equipment (PPE) for front-line health
workers. The government needed support to
develop protocols and guidelines to deal with the 300 ventilators were installed at public hospitals handling
disease outbreak. COVID-19 cases.
Large quantities of PPE, masks, body bags, gloves, goggles,
coveralls, and aprons were supplied for the protection of
APPROACH frontline workers.
Within three weeks of the detection of the first
COVID-19 case in Bangladesh in April 2020, the COVID-19 testing machines and kits were used by laboratories
World Bank fast-tracked $100 million financing dealing with COVID-19 samples.
to support the health ministry’s emergency
response. In March 2021, the World Bank
approved additional $500 million to support the A National Vaccine Testing Laboratory has been set up at the
government’s vaccination program. The project Directorate General of Drug Administration. This has paved
was instrumental in enabling the government the way for the country to approve vaccines locally, following
to secure critical supplies during the emergency WHO protocols.
phase. Now the focus has shifted toward
prevention by strengthening health systems to
deal with future outbreaks, not only of COVID-19
but any pandemic. The project was designed
to be flexible to ensure maximum effectiveness,
particularly for the quick procurement of supplies.
It served as a platform to leverage partner
financing. Bangladesh was the first IDA country
with co-financing of US$100 million from the
Asian Infrastructure and Investment Bank (AIIB) for
COVID-19 management.
MOVING FORWARD
The World Bank will continue to support the
government in preparing for any future health
emergency. Initiatives are being taken to train
medical personnel and strengthen health systems,
including expansion of ICU capacity and isolation
units, and setting up PCR laboratories. These are
tangible assets for the country and will continue to
benefit future generations.
THE WORLD BANK IN BANGLADESH 2024 | 19