Tk 150m container-based TB lab being set up in Sylhet

SYLHET, June 28: The country's first container based TB culture lab is being set up in the divisional city of Sylhet. With a view to providing sophisticated and faster treatment for the TB patients or suspects, the modern facility will be established under a special programme styled 'USAID TB Care-II' at the Sylhet Chest Disease Hospital complex at the city's Shahi Eidgah area. The programme costs around Tk 150 million.

It will be the regional TB research laboratory for the whole of Sylhet division, which is always a TB prone zone in the country with close borders with the Indian states of Meghalaya, Tripur and Assam. Besides, with internal migration of less privileged people from other parts of the country, Sylhet region has another risk factor for TB cases, officials said.

With the establishment of the laboratory, the TB patients' cough culture to detect bacteria and virus will be done. Presently, the job is referred to the capital, causing delay and additional expenditure, said the Civil Surgeon of Sylhet Md. Azharul Islam Sunday. "We will be able to start using the lab soon after its establishment," he said.

The sophisticated unit is called 'Bio Safety Lab' (BSL-III) and it will contain latest facilities for pathological tests, X-ray etc in addition to a gene expert machine, the official added. It will be the first of its kind in the country, he said and added, such units will also be established in other regions later.

The common TB patients as well the multi-drug resistant ones will be benefited highly.  

The 320-square feet lab is being assembled in South Africa and it would reach Sylhet in a month, informed the regional coordinator of the project Satyajit Naha.

    iqbal1527@hotmail.com