He was inaugurating the National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory and a CT-Scan Machine at the National Institute of Diseases of the Chest and Hospital in the city yesterday.

The automated reference library of international standard is expected to play a massive contribution in the treatment of tuberculosis.

Hospital sources said the newly installed High Regulation CT-Scan machine would allow patients to scan different parts of their bodies at a low price.

The adviser said MDR (Multidrug Resistant Tuberculosis) TB is now posing a frightening challenge.

He said healthcare providers should create more public awareness about the threats posed by tuberculosis alongside providing modern treatment to the disease.

Presided over by Prof Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman, the programme was also addressed by Dr Mohammad Shahjahan Biswas, Dr Duwangvedi Shankobol of WHO, Dr Mohammad Wahiduzzaman, Prof Jamshed Haider, and Dr Mohammad Mahabub Kamal Siddiqi.