The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has donated a PCR lab, which was set up in Gazipur to conduct Covid-19 tests of garment workers, to the Diabetic Association of Bangladesh (BADAS).

BGMEA handed over the PCR lab to BADAS at a program held at PR office of BGMEA in Gulshan on September 25, 2021.

President of BADAS and National Professor Dr. AK Azad Khan was present at the handover ceremony as chief guest while BGMEA Senior Vice President SM Mannan (Kochi) chaired the program.

BGMEA Vice President Shahidullah Azim, Vice President (Finance) Khandoker Rafiqul Islam, Directors M.A. Rahim (Feroz), Md. Mohiuddin Rubel, Md. Khosru Chowdhury, Rajiv Chowdhury, former Director Md. Moshiul Azam (Shajal), Founder Chairman of BUFT Trustees Board Muzaffar U. Siddique, Member of BADAS, National Council A Matin Chowdhury, and Registrar at Bangladesh University of Health Sciences and Project Director of BADAS-BGMEA Covid-19 Diagnostic Professor Dr. Zahid Hassan were also present at the program.

BGMEA Senior Vice President SM Mannan (Kochi) and President of BADAS Dr. AK Azad Khan signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organizations for handing over the PCR lab.

Expressing thanks to BGMEA for setting up the PCR lab, Dr. AK Azad Khan said this would have been not possible without the support of BGMEA. He hoped that the Diabetic Association of Bangladesh and BGMEA would jointly take more initiatives for providing health services to garment workers.

BGMEA Senior Vice President SM Mannan (Kochi) said it had been possible for BGMEA to give services to RMG workers by setting up the PCR lab with the support of a renowned health service provider like BADAS. He thanked BADAS for extending its support and cooperation in this regard.

Under the great leadership of the Honorable Prime Minister, the garment industry has been following health guidelines since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic in the country, which helped to keep Covid infection rate very low in garment factories. He expressed hope that BADAS will come forward with support and cooperation to BGMEA for the interests of RMG sector, he said.

BADAS Member A Matin Chowdhury hailed the PCR lab donation saying it is a good example of private-private partnership. He thanked both BADAS and BGMEA for the success of BADAS-BGMEA Covid-19 Diagnostic project. Stressing on the importance of health care for garment workers, he said it helps to reduce absenteeism and enhance productivity. He recommended finding out possible avenues to provide health care to all.

BGMEA Vice President Shahidullah Azim and Vice President (Finance) Khandoker Rafiqul Islam also spoke at the event.