icddr,b Diagnostic Laboratories, the first ISO15189 (Quality) and ISO15190 (Safety) accredited laboratory in Bangladesh, on Tuesday launched its sample collection centre at Dhanmondi in Dhaka.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Tahmeed Ahmed, Executive Director at icddr,b highlighted the right of the patient to have timely and accurate disease detection which both the patient and the physician can rely on, and how icddr,b is reducing the gap that existed in the country.

“The launch of this sample collection centre at Dhanmondi is an important step in furthering icddr,b’s commitment to provide extremely high quality disease detection, analysis of causalities, and eventually aid the physicians in their life-saving role,” he said.

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Dr Dinesh Mondal, Acting Senior Director, Laboratory Sciences and Services Division at icddr,b, said being the most trusted laboratory service provider, they have immense responsibilities to make their services accessible to more people.

"It is to be noted that the savings from icddr,b’s diagnostic service supports the free of cost life-saving treatment of more than 200,000 patients who come to its Dhaka and Matlab hospitals every year.”

The newly opened facility located at 754/B Satmasjid Road, Dhanmondi 1209, will commence its operation on Wednesday and will operate from 7.30 am to 9.30 pm every day, throughout the year.

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With its six world-class automated labs in Mohakhali, ‘icddr,b Diagnostic Laboratories’ offers more than 600 tests and test combinations, ranging from routine screening tests to sophisticated molecular and genetic assays.

However, individuals willing to test for COVID-19 will have to visit its Mohakhali Centre.

The inauguration ceremony was held following strict coronavirus guidelines, where no external guests were invited, and all guests were spaced far apart, wore masks and avoided the usual handshaking.