Employ genetic engineering, biotechnology graduates in fight against Covid-19: BABG
Graduates of genetic engineering and Biotechnology, and other disciplines are providing now voluntary services
Bangladesh Association of Biotechnology Graduates (BABG) highly appreciates the endeavors made by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) to curb the Covid-19 outbreak in the country.
But the association has at the same time expressed its concern over the recruitment of only molecular biologists alongside the physicians and nurses for the management of Covid-19, leaving out the graduates of genetic engineering and biotechnology, and other disciplines.
The association expressed the concerns in a press release on Sunday, signed by Prof Dr Mohammad Shahedur Rahman, president, and Dr S M Mahbubur Rashid, general secretary, of the association.
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On June 10, 2020, twenty molecular biologists were appointed on a temporary basis through an office order of DGHS, says the press release.
The BABG appreciated the recruitment, terming it timely, but it expressed its concern over leaving out those who have been serving voluntarily as the frontline fighters by being directly involved in laboratory setup and conducting the tests.
Graduates of genetic engineering and biotechnology and other disciplines are providing completely voluntary services in the establishment of test laboratories, collection of samples, and conducting the test procedures, reads the press release.
So, the BABG requests that the graduates of these three research-oriented disciplines – genetic engineering and biotechnology, microbiology, and biochemistry and molecular biology – should be considered equally for the posts related to the techniques of molecular biology in Covid-19 testing and regulations for appointment, reads the press statement.
On the other hand, some guidelines have been issued by the DGHS on Covid-19 testing and treatment in private hospitals which is found on www.corona.gov.bd website, the press release says.
In paragraph A (Requirement for a laboratory) of the guidelines, the point 'g' includes microbiologists, biochemists, biochemist & molecular biologists, and virologists & medical technologists for the post of Trained Laboratory Personnel.
However, the guideline avoided the inclusion of genetic engineering and biotechnology graduates once again.
It hopes that the discipline, genetic engineering and biotechnology, will soon be included in the appointment regulations.
