Chittagong University gets permission for Covid-19 tests

The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) yesterday gave permission to Chittagong University (CU) for conducting coronavirus tests at its lab after the university made a request in this regard.

In a letter, signed by Dr Nasima Sultana, additional director general (administration) of DGHS, she greenlighted the tests to be taken by the Central Biological Lab under the biological faculty of the university.

"Logistic support will be provided from the DGHS in this regard," stated the letter.

It also asked the university authority to send the test results directly to DGHS Lab call centre and DHIS-2.

The labs, however, will not collect samples but conduct tests of the samples provided by IEDCR or other designated institutions.

CU Vice-Chancellor Professor Shireen Akhter said they will go for the test after setting up logistics in the lab and completion of all procedures in this regard.

Earlier, CU authority sent a letter to the health ministry showing interest in performing Covid-19 tests, saying that the university had the capacity to do so.