Following concerns over shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) for doctors and nurses in Bangladesh, a concerted effort by five organisations is set to produce four lakh pieces of equipment.

When news broke on social media claiming that UK-based retailer Marks & Spencer (M&S) was providing technical support for the initiative, curiosity grew as to who was really behind it. The Daily Star reached out to some of those involved to learn more about the project.

Terming the project a combined effort, M&S Head of Finance Kamal Ahamed said five organisations -- Pay It Forward Bangladesh, Honest, Buet Alumni Association, Rotary Club Dhaka North-west and Manush Manusher Jonno Foundation -- came to M&S with the idea.

The five organisations are funding the initiative, under which two to four lakh PPEs will be produced primarily.

"Pay it forward, BUET Alumni and Manusher Jonno Foundation came together with the idea and requested us to provide support in sourcing and the manufacturing process. We gave it some thought and started developing the idea. Later some generous people and organisations came forward to help. We got together with them and took the decision to produce PPEs," he said.

"We are providing technical support of the product, managing production lines and monitoring sample to production; we are not involved in the funding, which is being provided by the five organisations and the general public."

Following the confirmation of coronavirus cases in Bangladesh, the demand for PPEs rose sharply.

Many public hospitals across the country have set up isolation units for possible coronavirus patients, but a lot of them lack adequate resources and equipment to provide necessary services.

Many doctors, nurses and staff members are finding it difficult to continue work owing to the growing risk of infection.

This has also resulted in protests at some hospitals. Nearly 200 interns of Rajshahi Medical College Hospital on March 19 halted their services until the hospital provided them with protective gear. They pointed out that patients with fever and cough come on a daily basis and some of them could be affected by COVID-19, which exposes all health workers if they are not safeguarded with the personal protective equipment.