Govt to bear cost of Zika treatment

Health Minister Mohammad Nasim on Tuesday said the government would bear the cost of treatment for any patients infected with Zika virus, saying that authorities have every preparation to tackle the menace that has plagued South American nation Brazil and some other countries.

As the spread of the virus has affected many of the areas of Africa, Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands amid a global alert issued by the World Health Organization, the health minister assured that the government would do everything to stop intrusion of the virus.

“The government has already set up digital scanning machines at every entry points of the country to test every person who comes from Zika virus-affected countries,’ he told a press briefing at the secretariat.

The minister said the government would bear the expenses for patients, if any, infected with the virus.

Professor Dr Din Mohammad Nurul Haque, Director General of Health Directorate, said if any Zika virus-infected persons are identified at Shahajalaj International Airport they would immediately be sent to Kurmitola General Hospital where a 20-bed special ward has been set up.