KU laboratory turned into Covid-19 testing facility

Hundreds of samples sent by health dept being tested each day, claims ICCBS director

KARACHI: Following the directives of the Sindh government, the Karachi University (KU) Panjwani Centre for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research (PCMD) Biosafety Level-III (BSL-III) laboratory has been converted into a testing facility for Covid-19.

Addressing PCMD volunteers, KU International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS) director Prof Dr Iqbal Choudhary said that the BSL-III laboratory, which was established last year with the financial support of the federal government, was now testing hundreds of samples of Covid-19 patients provided by the Sindh Health Department each day.

"The diagnostic capacity for the Covid-19 infection has immensely been widened in Sindh after the BSL-III laboratory began work at the PCMD," he stated, adding that this was a "unique example of an academic institution promptly aligning to meet the national need."

He further stressed that every citizen must take precautionary measures against Covid-19 as this is the only weapon to fight against this fatal pandemic.

He maintained that the PCMD was continually working towards producing quality research and researchers who will play their due role in development of the country. Choudhary also expressed his appreciation for the support of the Sindh government.

He further praised the efforts of the Ministry of Science and Technology Scientific Task Force on Covid-19 chairperson Prof Dr Attaur Rahman who, according to Choudhary, had introduced various science and technology initiatives to help the nation during the massive international health crises.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 23^rd, 2020.