A private voluntary organisation, getting the green light from the government, has installed a total of 44 booths to collect samples from suspected coronavirus patients in Dhaka and Narayanganj.
The organisation -- JKG Healthcare -- collects around 300 to 350 samples daily from six places of Dhaka and Narayanganj and later sends them to government laboratories for testing.
Upon the government’s nod, we first installed a booth in Narayanganj. Later, we installed few more booths in Dhaka. As a result, people of the areas could test the virus without any risk.Oval Group’s chairman Sabrina Arif Chaudhury
JKG Health Care is the Oval Group’s sister concern.
“Upon the government’s nod, we first installed a booth in Narayanganj. Later, we installed few more booths in Dhaka. As a result, people of the areas could test the virus without any risk. So far I know we are the first private organisation to collect samples of COVID-19 in Bangladesh,” Oval Group’s chairman physician Sabrina Arif Chaudhury told Prothom Alo.
JKG Health Care authorities said those who provide samples were informed about the results of the test over mobile phones.
The organisation officials that they had established booths in Dhaka’s Rajarbagh Police Lines, Khilgaon Girls School and College, Shabujbagh Adarsha Girls' High School and College and in Korail slums area.
In Narayanganj, they have been collecting samples through booths at Narayanganj Govt High School and Shiddirganj MH Bulu School and College.
The booths are open between 11:00am and 2:00pm.
Sabrina Arif also said, “Anybody who thinks contracted the coronavirus can provide samples at our booths. The sample provider must bring national ID card and provide mobile phone number.”
Officials of the organisation also said they will install some booths at the capital’s Gulshan, Badda and Uttara areas.
“We have decided to collect samples from Dhaka North City Corporation along with the south city corporation. Preliminary, we have plans to set up 40 booths at Uttara, Gulshan and Badda areas,” JKG Healthcare’s Shammi Wadud told Prothom Alo.
“Separate booths will be opened for diplomats at Gulshan,” Shammi added.
JKG Healthcare authorities said 400 health officials have been working at the booths and they are trained up.
Separate booths will be opened for diplomats at Gulshan.JKG Health Care’s Shammi Wadud
“None of our health worker has been infected with the coronavirus as yet. Every official was sent to collect sample after appropriate training,” said Sabrina, also convener of JKG Healthcare.
The JKG authorities also said anyone can contact with them over phone (+8801792444111) to provide sample.
*The piece has been rewritten in English by Toriqul Islam.