A laboratory set-up in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh very recently with World Health Organization (WHO)’s support is helping rapidly diagnose and respond to diseases. Specialized DNA analysis, blood tests are now processed within hours. If the diagnosis is confirmed, an alert is raised and the patient located and treated.
WHO’s Dr Francis Yesurajan and Dr Lucky Sangal designed the laboratory together, taking care of procurement, coordination, set-up, training of staff, installing equipment and functioning.
Funded by WHO and supervised by the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research at Cox’s Bazar Medical College, the laboratory is part of WHO’s commitment to save lives of the vulnerable communities by responding quickly and effectively to serious disease outbreaks.
“It is already making a significant difference,” says Dr Francis, who installed the final piece of lab equipment only last week. “We are now even are better equipped to take on deadly diseases.”