S M Akash, Chattogram
The RT-PCR lab is finally being set up inside the Shah Amanat International Airport of Chattogram for Covid-19 testing of all outbound passengers in the commercial capital. The experimental test will be launched in the airport’s lab next Wednesday, December 29.
After a two-day trial on Wednesday and Thursday (December 29 and 30), the Covid-19 test will be fully operational at the airport from January 1. Chittagong Divisional Health Director, Hasan Shahriar Kabir has confirmed this information. As a result of complete Covid-19 testing in the lab, it will be possible to directly fly from Chattogram to the UAE and Middle East, said the Divisional Health Director.
At present, the passengers from Chattogram have to travel to Dhaka at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport as there is no opportunity for Covid-19 test at Chattogram airport. But if the Coronavirus testing lab is fully operational, the workers will be able to go directly to the respective countries through Chattogram Airport after January 1. And there will be no need to go to Dhaka. This will save a large sum of money for Middle Eastern travelers.
On December 5, the Department of Health approved four private organizations to establish Covid-19 testing facilities at the Chattogram Airport. Among the four approved labs, Chevron Clinical Laboratory Pvt. Limited got the contract from Chattogram, the other three are Dhaka’s Prescription Point and Labaid Limited and Cumilla’s Laksam Modern Hospital Pvt Ltd. With the approval, the Department of Health has fixed BDT 1,600 per passenger as Covid-19 test fee.
After the approval, the infrastructural work for setting up the lab at the airport started from December 16. That work has already been completed. Work is now underway to install the RT-PCR machine. Chevron Clinical Laboratory Pvt. Ltd. General Manager (GM) Pulak Parial has confirmed this information.
Concerned parties said that the infrastructural work of the lab has been completed, now the installation of machines and other equipment is underway, the installation of the machines will be completed by Monday. The trial will be held on Wednesday and Thursday. Covid-19 test will be officially launched from January 1. Authorities said the deadline was set by the health department.
Meanwhile, the Chattogram Divisional Health Department has formed a six-member committee to oversee the corona test activities at Chattogram Airport. Hasan Shahriar Kabir from the Divisional Health Department, BITID Lab in-charge Shakil Ahmed, Chattogram District Civil Surgeon Mohammad Ilias Chowdhury, an assistant director of the Chattogram port, director of airport (immigration) is a member of this committee.
On the other hand, the health department held a meeting with the concerned officials of the approved labs and airports on December 23. However, the representatives of the three approved labs were present but no representative of Dhaka Labaid was present at the meeting. The Divisional Health Director’s Office has sent a letter to the Labaid authorities asking for an explanation.
