International standard DNA lab to be set up in Dhaka: Social Welfare Minister

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Minister of Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain said that an international standard DNA laboratory will be set up in Dhaka. Two and a half million people live in Dhaka. As the number of DNA tests continues to increase every year, the Forensic DNA Laboratory of the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs will be developed as a modern lab. 

He said these things at the Forensic DNA Laboratory Advisory Council meeting in the meeting room of the Directorate of DNA Laboratory Management at National Science and Technology Complex, Agargaon, Dhaka on Sunday (April 12).

Dr. Zahid Hossain said that the DNA screening laboratory will be upgraded to a self-contained profiling lab at all departmental levels.

He said that since the equipment of the forensic DNA lab is more than 15 years old, its efficiency has decreased significantly. New machines should be installed to ensure quality, purity and accuracy of sample analysis. 

The minister said that the first international quality National Forensic DNA Profiling Laboratory of the country was established in Dhaka Medical College Hospital under the Ministry of Women and Children in order to prevent violence against women and children and to strengthen service activities. In order to spread this facility across the country, 8 DNA screening laboratories have been set up in 8 medical college hospitals of the country at various times.  

In the advisory council, various important issues including manpower required for modernization of DNA lab, creation of database, amendment of DNA law and rules, recruitment of qualified manpower, determination of fee for DNA sample analysis were discussed.

Secretary of the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs Yasmin Parveen NDC, Director General of DNA Laboratory Management Directorate of the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs (Additional Secretary) Shabnam Mostari, senior officials of the Prime Minister’s Office, officials of the rank of Joint Secretary of the Department of Health Services, officials of the rank of Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration, Ministry of Law, Ministry of Home Affairs, Professor of Forensic Department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, CID Officers of the rank of DIG of the Forensic Department and senior officials of the Advisory Council Committee of the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs were present.

Later, the minister visited the various rooms of the DNA lab.