PCR Lab Plundered: Equipment Worth Tk 20 Million Stolen from Kushtia General Hospital
All equipment from the only PCR laboratory at Kushtia General Hospital, established at a cost of nearly Tk 20 million for COVID-19 testing, has reportedly been stolen. According to sources, the theft occurred in phases over the past four months, but the hospital authorities became aware of it only about a month ago.
The PCR lab was inaugurated on April 16, 2020, in a single-story building within the Kushtia General Hospital compound to facilitate COVID-19 testing. It was set up during the pandemic at an estimated cost of Tk 20 million. As the rate of infection declined, the lab ceased operations roughly a year ago. The responsibility for its maintenance was assigned to the Microbiology Department of Kushtia Medical College, and two staff members were designated to oversee it. It was about a month ago that the hospital authorities discovered the theft.
Dr. Hossain Imam, the hospital’s Residential Medical Officer (RMO), confirmed the theft, saying, “The equipment was stolen in phases over the last four months, as we suspect. The hospital became aware of it only a month ago. A probe committee was formed, and they have already submitted their report.”
He further stated, “The report identified gross negligence on the part of those entrusted with the lab's supervision after it was shut down.”
According to data from the District Civil Surgeon’s Office, although the global COVID-19 outbreak began in 2019, Kushtia district recorded its first cases from March 8, 2020. Between then and August 2021, the district reported 855 COVID-related deaths and nearly 4,000 confirmed infections.
