Ambulances, van handed over to Bangladesh Red Crescent by IFRC

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has handed over four new ambulances and a Covid-19 sample collection van to the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) for helping them transfer patients to hospitals and support Covid-19 sample collection and testing.

IFRC formally gave the ambulances and the van during a handover ceremony at the National Headquarters of Bangladesh Red Crescent, reads a press release.

Bangladesh Red Crescent Society Chairman Hafiz Ahmed Mazumdar, MP, received the vehicles and keys on behalf of the society.

With this, Bangladesh Red Crescent’s ambulance service will be strengthened in providing emergency service to vulnerable people during the pandemic. Two of these ambulances are with ICU facilities and two are specially equipped for Covid-19 patients.

The IFRC will handover another blood collection van to Bangladesh Red Crescent in the coming week to support their blood collection drive.

“Bangladesh Red Crescent Society has been supporting vulnerable people in Bangladesh not only during the Covid-19 pandemic but also during any disasters and emergencies,” said Hafiz Ahmed Mazumdar.

“The ambulances and sample collection van that have been added to the Red Crescent health services will help the society in implementing its overall Covid-19 response activities,” he added.

Bangladesh Red Crescent Vice Chairman and IFRC governing board member Professor Dr Md Habibe Millat, MP, said, “As an auxiliary to the government, Bangladesh Red Crescent Society has been working to support the vulnerable people of Bangladesh. The society’s humanitarian works have been highly acclaimed throughout the world.

IFRC Acting Head of Bangladesh Country Office Sanjeev Kumar Kafley said they are committed to working alongside Bangladesh Red Crescent in the drive against Covid-19.

“The ICU ambulances that have been handed over are equipped to transfer critical patients to hospitals and will support Bangladesh Red Crescent in helping vulnerable people. The sample collection van will make Covid-19 sample collection and testing easier and will contribute to the government’s overall Covid-19 response efforts,” he further said.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, Bangladesh Red Crescent Society has been working to increase mass awareness and improve hygiene practice; distributing leaflets; disinfecting public places; distributing food and facemasks; providing cash grants and food parcels to people affected by COVID-19.

Bangladesh Red Crescent Society Secretary General Md Feroz Salah Uddin, Deputy Secretary General Md. Rafiqul Islam, and IFRC Covid-19 Operations Manager Ali Akgul were present as special guests at the ceremony.