PCR Labs at HSIA: 7 facilities to test outbound passengers for Covid

The government yesterday gave permission to seven healthcare facilities to set up RT-PCR laboratories at the capital's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to run Covid-19 tests on outbound passengers.

The facilities will be given three to six days to set up the labs, said a letter issued by the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment.

The seven firms chosen by the Directorate General of Health Services are: Stemz Healthcare (BD) Limited; CSBF Health Centre; AMZ Hospital Limited; Anwar Khan Modern Medical College Hospital; Zainul Haque Sikder Women's Medical College and Hospital (Pvt) Ltd; Gulshan Clinic Limited; and DMFR Molecular Lab and Diagnostic.

The fees for Covid tests have been fixed between Tk 1,700 and Tk 2,300, the letter said.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (Caab) has been requested to allocate space for setting up the lab at the airport.

Migrant workers and professionals who came home on vacation from the UAE but later got stranded amid the pandemic had been demanding that RT-PCR labs be set up at international airports in the country after Gulf countries asked for Covid tests of foreigners prior to their journeys to those countries.