‘Gonoshasthaya won’t apply for approval again’

Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury yesterday harshly criticised the government for permitting import of rapid testing kit for Covid-19 instead of giving nod to the kit developed by his organisation.

"This government is the government of businessmen. So the government has approved the import of kits instead of approving our antibody and antigen kits, even though those were ready. This was done for commercial motives," he said while addressing an event in honour of the frontliners of Covid-19 in Dhaka.

The event was organised at 30 branches of Gonoshasthaya Kendra across the country.

 Zafrullah said they had to count a loss of Tk 10 crore to develop the kits,  but the government did not approve it. "Gonoshasthaya will not apply for kit approval again. However,  we will supply kits if the government approves it by itself."

Criticising the government's policy on vaccine trial, he said, "The government is still following an errant policy.  They did not give approval for vaccine trials timely."

About frontliners of Covid-19, he said, "The doctors, nurses and others will be at risk during a health emergency like people die during war. The government should arrange enough support for them." 

Conducted by the press adviser of Gonoshasthaya Kendra Jahangir Alam, director of Gonoshasthaya Kendra Mohammad Showkot Ali spoke at the event, among others.