We were very pleased to get this news. The first 90 samples from 90 different cancer patients will be tested today; most of them will undergo radiotherapy treatment tomorrow if tested negative. Regular readers will know that the absence of such a lab meant that cancer patients arriving at the hospital (who often were poor and had travelled to the capital from other parts of the country) couldn’t receive cancer treatment until they had received a negative Covid-19 test.
The lab, an “RT PCR SARS-CoV-2 Testing Lab” for the National Institute of Cancer Research & Hospital (NICRH) was completed in May under Rotary Global Grant Project GG#2117971 and the project subsequently received certification from the Government of Bangladesh for PCR testing of coronavirus infections, making it the only BSL 2 standard Covid testing laboratory in a public (government) sector hospital.
The project was a great international effort spearheaded and implemented by the Rotary Club of Dhaka and shows how Rotarians from different countries can work together to get support from Rotary Foundation and other donors and make important, life-saving projects like this come into fruition.
Picture: Just some of the equipment purchased under the Global Grant for the lab. Picture credit: The Rotary Club of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Please note the pictures were taken after completion of installation works and inspection by DGHS. Entry to the lab is restricted once they started testing on actual virus samples.
Project sponsors:
The Rotary Foundation for Global Grant: The Rotary Foundation (World’s Fund); Rotary International District – 3281, Bangladesh; Rotary International District – 7620, USA; Rotary International District – 7610, USA; Rotary International District – 1120, UK, Rotary Club of Dhaka, RID 3281, Bangladesh; Rotary Club of Towsontowne, RID 7620, USA; Rotary Club of Alexandria, RID 7610, USA; Rotary Club of Canterbury, RID 1120, UK
Rotary Club of Dhaka (outside TRF contributions): Rotary Club of Dhaka (individual contributions/donations); Rotary Club of Dee Why Warringah, RID 9685, Australia; Rotary Dhaka Save Life Foundation.
Clubs are grateful to all those who have supported this project.
