Staff Correspondent:

Speakers in a concluding training workshop stressed the need for use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) especially mask to avert infection of coronavirus. All should be aware about the clutch of COVID-19 second wave. So, there is needed to apply ‘No mask, no services’ policy everywhere including in prison to get rid from second phase onslaught of furious corona pandemic.

They came up with the remarks, while addressing a concluding training workshop on ‘Covid-19 Prevention and Stress Management’ for doctors, health workers and general staff working in 68 prisons across the country.

Bangladesh Prisons Department and Dhaka Ahsania Mission in collaboration with Department of Security Services, Home Ministry and GIZ Bangladesh with the financial support of the German Government and British Government organized the program on November 04, said a press release.

They said, use of mask is a must according to the government ‘No mask, No services’ policy. Besides, mask and necessary PPE can protect the people from massive outbreak of COVID-19.

The training started on July 1, 2020 and provided training to 341 prison officers and employees through a total of 173 batches. The curriculum for the training was jointly developed by the Dhaka Ahsania Mission and the International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC).

Additional Secretary of the Security Services Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs Md. Khairul Alam Sheikh was present as the chief guest at the closing ceremony of the training.

He said, “The government has played vital role to prevent massive outbreak of Coronavirus in the country. According to the direct directive of the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, all relevant sectors have been worked sincerely. Now, the condition of the country is suitable compared to the other European countries of the world.”

Inspector General of Prisons Brigadier General Md. Mominur Rahman Mamun said, “Since the beginning of the epidemic, we have realized the need for in-house doctors, health workers and general staff to be trained on what to do to prevent COVID-19 and stress management.” “As a result, Dhaka Ahsania Mission in collaboration with GIZ Bangladesh conducted the training in 68 prisons of the country in phases. The mental fortitude created by the participants in the training to deal with the current situation is commendable and there is no substitute for such training,’’ he added.