RT-PCR testing labs in 7 days on the ground floor of Dhaka airport

Health officials at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport have said that the much-anticipated RT-PCR testing laboratories will be set up within the next seven days to facilitate expatriate workers and travellers.

“It has been decided that the testing labs will be set up at the men’s prayer room on the ground floor of Terminal-1 of the airport. However, samples will be collected from the second floor of the same building from a room which is now being used as a godown,” HISA Heath Desk In-charge Dr Shariar Sazzad told The Business Post on Tuesday evening. 

According to the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has made it mandatory for passengers from Bangladesh to depart within six hours of taking an RT-PCR test at the airport.

He also said that an engineering contractor has already started working to renovate the infrastructure of the allocated area and are expected to complete their work within the next three days.

The government approved companies will then set up their laboratories within four days.

Earlier on September 14, the health ministry approved seven private laboratories to set up RT-PCR booths to test outgoing passengers for Covid-19 at HSIA.

Already, six out of seven of these private laboratories have already sent their Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to the UAE for approval. 

The six approved private laboratories are — Gulshan Clinic Limited, Stemz Health Care (BD) Limited Dhaka, CSBF Health Centre, AMZ Hospital Limited, Anwar Khan Modern Medical College Hospital (AKMMCH), and DMFR Molecular Lab and Diagnostics.

Only Zainul Haque Sikder Women’s Medical College Hospital did not send its SOP, which resulted in its exclusion from UAE list.

Meanwhile, sources at the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh said that the authority was now awaiting response from the UAE for its approval against the SOPs submitted.

They also said even if any of the government approved companies do not meet UAE’s requirements, they will still be able to operate inside the airport for other international destinations. 

Earlier in the day, Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Imran Ahmad and Health Minister Zahid Maleque failed to provide a clear answer on when RT-PCR testing laboratories will be set up at the airport.

“It should have been set up a week ago. But unfortunately, it did not happen. It is just taking a little time as other ministries are also involved in the process. However, the problem has been solved,” said Imran Ahmad while answering to questions from newsmen while visiting the airport.

The two ministers visited at the airport following a disagreement between Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh and six private laboratories over the space allocated at the airport to set up the RT-PCR labs.

The ministers could only confirm that the testing laboratories will be set up inside the airport building for the time being, before the labs are finally installed on the roof-top area with full facilities.

“The UAE wants a rapid PCR test at the airport, while our country does not have a rapid PCR test devices,” Imran Ahmad said.

“Previously, it was decided to allow seven institutions to set up their laboratories. The technical committee made the selection. It was sent to us and then we sent it to the Civil Aviation. We are currently working on an RT-PCR lab, and we will think about rapid tests later,” the minister added.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Zahid Malek said, “A place inside the airport has been provided so that the installation work can start quickly. Six companies have been selected to set up laboratories there on a small scale for the time being. This activity will start as soon as possible.”

Soon after the government’s approval, the private laboratories raised objections over the area allocated to set up the labs by the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh.

The private laboratories said that they are unable to immediately set up their laboratories as CAAB allotted them open space on the rooftop of the airport’s parking lot.

Meanwhile, the expatriates’ welfare ministry has fixed the test fees. The laboratories would enable passengers to undergo Covid-19 tests at the booths by paying a minimum of Tk 1,700 to a maximum of Tk 2,300.