DERA ISMAIL KHAN: The Gomal University’s centre of biochemistry and biotechnology has established a Covid-19 diagnostic laboratory at Mufti Mahmood Hospital, Dera Ismail Khan.

DG health Dr Tahir Nadeem approached Dr Mohammad Badar, currently working as director of Gomal University’s biochemistry centre, to provide their services to the public health department for upgradation of Covid-19 diagnostic lab of DI Khan.

Dr Badar discussed the matter with the varsity’s VC Prof Iftikhar Ahmad, who directed to execute the project on priority.

As per directives of Prof Ahmad, the 7,500 Realtime PCR system, which was being used for research purposes, was shifted to the Mufti Mahmood Hospital and installed there.

The capacity of Covid-19 diagnostic laboratory has now been increased to testing over 200 samples a day, up from the previous 28 samples a day.

Published in Dawn, April 17th, 2020