The Health Services Division of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has given the directive to install a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) machine for speedy testing of coronavirus samples in Narayanganj.
Confirming the matter, Narayanganj district Civil Surgeon Mohammad Imtiaz told Dhaka Tribune that Dhaka Divisional Health Office Director Dr Sheikh Md. Hasan Imam on Sunday gave the directive to install a PCR machine at the Narayanganj 300-bed hospital in Khanpur within the next one week.
At the same time, Dr Samsuddoha Sanchay, resident medical officer of the hospital, said the hospital’s new building was now being readied for setting up a Covid-19 testing lab.
Meanwhile, the construction of a Covid-19 testing lab and isolation unit at Bestway City in Kanchan area of Rupganj will begin this month following an initiative taken by Textiles and Jute Minister Golam Dastagir Gazi, also the parliamentarian for Narayanganj-1 constituency.
According to health authorities, Narayanganj witnessed a surge in coronavirus cases in recent times with 27 deaths and 386 active cases till Sunday.
The Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) had earlier identified Narayanganj district as a red zone or “coronavirus cluster.”
However, the lack of testing facilities in the district prompted Narayanganj City Corporation (NCC) Mayor Selina Hayat and 46 political and social organisations to press home their demand for setting up a Covid-19 testing lab.
On April 16, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also gave her consent to setting up a testing lab in Narayanganj.