Dhaka: Amid the rise of Covid-19 cases in the country, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has decided to start testing at different public hospitals across the country on a limited scale.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Professor Dr. Halimur Rashid, Director of the Infectious Diseases Control Wing of the Health Directorate, announced today that the initiative will initially cover hospitals equipped with RT-PCR Labs.
The directorate is currently working to source testing kits from local medicine companies and has instructed the Central Medical Stores Depot (CMSD) to expedite the import of kits from abroad. Professor Rashid expressed expectations that testing will commence at various hospitals within the next 10 days. Hospitals that have RT-PCR Labs have already been given instructions to prepare for this development.
Testing will initially be conducted at Dhaka Medical College and Hospitals, Mugda Medical College and Hospitals, and Chattogram Medical College and Hospitals, as well as hospitals in the divisional headquarters of Rajshahi, Khulna, Barisal, Sylhet, and Mymensingh. The testing will be available to individuals exhibiting Covid-19 symptoms or those with a prescription from registered physicians. The number of examination centers will be expanded if infection rates continue to rise.
The Director urged the public to remain vigilant and adhere to health practices, including wearing face masks, frequent hand washing, and staying home if symptoms of Covid-19 are present.