The National Tuberculosis Control Program (NTP) has committed to equip Sylhet with advanced diagnostic technologies for tuberculosis (TB) according to the Bangladesh government's recent 2018-2022 National Strategic Plan for TB Report.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) handed over the Bio-safety Level 3 Laboratory (BSL 3 Lab) to the Sylhet Chest Diseases Hospital, under Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, through an inauguration event held at the Hotel Star Pacific on October 18, according to a press release.
Bangladesh has a significant number of TB and DR-TB infected people requiring an increasing number of laboratories for diagnosis. The BSL 3 Lab will provide rapid and quality services to the suffering population in the northeast region of the country.
At the event, Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith expressed his gratitude to USAID for supporting the provision of the BSL3 laboratory in Sylhet, said the press release.
He also thanked NTP, local government and health authorities for successfully establishing the laboratory.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Mohammed Nasim echoed the statement, greatly appreciating the contribution of USAID and everyone concerned for advancing healthcare in Bangladesh.
USAID representative Senior Family Planning Adviser Dr Alia EI Mohandes appreciated the efforts of national and local governments to support TB testing and also the commitment by the government to sustain the facility.
Health and Family Welfare Secretary Mohammad Sirajul Haque Khan, Prof Dr Md Shamiul Islam, MBDC director and TBL and ASP line director, Directorate General of Health Services Program, Dr AK Abdul Momen, among others were also present.