icddr,b to begin Covid-19 testing from June 26, per test at Tk 3,500

icddr,b's globally recognised diagnostic centre at Mohakhali, Dhaka will offer SARS CoV-2 tests to suspected coronavirus patients, starting from June 26.

Initially, patients will be required to book appointments through online registration by visiting http://covid19test.icddrb.org and make payments via debit/credit card or online/mobile banking system.

The web application will be live from 6pm today and ready for registration.

Each test will cost Tk 3,500, which is all inclusive. The test entails swab sample collection from deep throat and nose of an individual.

Samples will be collected daily from 7am to 12pm while reports will be provided within the next 24 to 48 hours.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Dinesh Mondal, Acting Director, Laboratory Sciences and Services Division at icddr,b, said, "Our patients' and staff's safety is our priority and accordingly we have renovated our diagnostic centre to cater for Covid-19 patients."

While, initially they are offering the test through online registration only, eventually they will make it more accessible, Mondal said.

Only the patient and one accompanying attendant will be allowed inside the testing facility.

They must wear face masks and properly adhere to the government's health and hygiene guidelines.

The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Bangladesh have given approval to icddr,b's Diagnostic Centre to undertake RT-PCR based Covid-19 test.

However, it is to be noted that this commercial offering is different from icddr,b's ongoing Covid-19 testing support to the DGHS, where it has been testing government-provided samples since March and so far tested more than 27,000 samples free of charge (testing kits were provided by the DGHS).