Online Desk  :  Expatriates heading to the Middle East have blocked the road in the Panthapath area of the capital, Dhaka, due to a shortage of vaccines, disrupting traffic in the area. Police from the Tejgaon Division of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) are at the scene to manage the situation. The protest began around 10:30 am on Tuesday, with nearly 300 expatriates blocking the road in front of Square Hospital. Most of the protesters are Saudi expatriates, along with some Umrah travelers. They were supposed to receive vaccines at various hospitals before traveling to Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries. However, when they arrived at the hospitals, they found that the vaccines were unavailable. They were then directed to Square Hospital, but upon arriving, they found no vaccines there either. Frustrated, they took to the streets to protest.

Sub-Inspector (SI) Md. Zubayer from Tejgaon Police Station stated, “The expatriates are protesting due to the lack of vaccines. Various hospitals had informed them that vaccines would be available at Square Hospital, but Square Hospital can only administer 10 to 15 vaccines daily and does not have more in stock. Around 300 people have come to get vaccinated, most of whom are expatriates from Saudi Arabia, with some Umrah travelers and others from a few other Middle Eastern countries.” Previously, new guidelines for the mandatory meningitis vaccine for Hajj and Umrah travelers were issued by Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in line with new directives from the Saudi Arabian government. These guidelines will take effect on February 10. On Monday (January 20), Kamrul Islam, the executive director of the airport, sent letters to all airlines and airport authorities regarding the new guidelines.