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BSS-34
COVID-19-ANTIGEN-TEST-MALEQUE LEAD
Antigen test for COVID-19 launched in 10 districts
DHAKA, Dec 5, 2020 (BSS) – Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid Maleque today inaugurated the antigen test for detecting COVID-19 cases in 10 districts in an effort to widen testing facilities to fight the deadly virus.
While inaugurating the antigen test through online, he said, “Today, we launched the antigen test in 10 districts… the antigen testing facility will be introduced in other districts in an urgent basis.”
Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control And Research (IEDCR) organized the inaugural function of the antigen test through online.
Director General of Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Prof Dr Abul Bashar Mohammad Khurshid Alam, Additional Director General of Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Prof Nasima Sultana, senior officials and civil surgeons, among others, joined the function with Secretary of Health Service Division Md Abdul Mannan in the chair.
DGHS Additional Director General Prof Meerjady Sabrina Flora placed the keynote paper at the programme highlighting different aspects of the antigen test.
The ten districts are – Gaibandha, Panchagarh, Joypurhat, Jashore, Meherpur, Brahmanbaria, Patuakhali, Munshiganj, Madaripur and Sylhet.
The minister said it will take 15 to 30 minutes time for performing the antigen test, which will eventually help perform any urgent operation and other treatments.
There are 118 PCR labs in the country, he said adding the government has attached priority to introduction of antigen tests in those districts, where PCR lab facilitates are not available.
Maleque said, “The government has formulated a policy for performing rapid antigen test in the country…As per the policy, kits recognized by the WHO (World Health Organization) will be used for carrying out antigen test.”
Nasima said, “Blood sample will be collected for antigen tests… this is quick and easy testing method for detecting coronavirus positive cases. Simple lab facilities with relatively less efficient health workers and medical technologists are enough for carrying out antigen test.”
Antigen tests will be performed for suspected cases, who showed specific COVID-19 symptoms, she added.
Health workers have been given necessary training for performing the test properly, other speakers said, adding quality kits will be used for performing antigen test.
BSS/ASG/MMR/ARS/1955 hrs