Minister for Agriculture Dr Mohammad Abdur Razzak along with scientists and employees from the ministry visited icddr,b and its research and clinical laboratories yesterday, says a press release.
The Ministry of Agriculture is working to set-up an internationally recognised testing and certification laboratory in order to strengthen qualities of food and agricultural products, including products which Bangladesh exports, imports and consumes. Dr Razzak and his team were welcomed by icddr,b’s Executive Director Prof John D Clemens. During their visit, Prof Clemens presented an overview of icddr,b and how it operates as a centre of excellence in public health research and innovation. He explained how icddr,b provides basic and implementation research and knowledge translation to solve major public health problems facing low- and middle-income countries in the world.
The Minister and his team toured icddr,b’s three research and four clinical laboratories. Dr Firdausi Qadri, Senior Scientist and Head of Mucosal and Immunology Laboratory; Dr Rubhana Raqib, Senior Scientist, Enteric and Respiratory Infections and Dr Niyaz Ahmed, Senior Director, Laboratory Sciences & Services at icddr,b demonstrated the organisation state-of-the-art laboratory facilities that provide cutting edge services to research and to the general public.
Dr Razzak was not only impressed by the world class research labs at icddr,b but also the organisation’s dedicated and talented workforce. He said “icddr,b is doing a highly commendable job. We would like to collaborate with this institution to help set-up an international standard lab for the Ministry of Agriculture. We want our staff to have hands-on training here at icddr,b.”
Professor Clemens appreciated the Minister and his team’s visit to icddr,b and said, “icddr,b has always been supportive to the government and will extend its full cooperation to the Ministry’s effort in setup the lab. icddr,b is committed to ensure healthy food which is prerequisite for combating malnutrition in Bangladesh.”
The tour also included icddr,b’s Dhaka Hospital at Mohakhali, which provides free-of-charge care to 1,000 patients every day. Dr Tahmeed Ahmed, Senior Director of Nutrition and Clinical Services briefed the visiting team about hospital operations and recent low-cost innovations including bubble CPAP for treatment of children with severe pneumonia, and ready-to-use therapeutic food for treatment of children with severely acute malnutrition.
