Non-government organisation Brac has announced their Covid-19 sample collecting booths will remain open till December 31 as it has secured donation to help it operate them.

Different national dailies on August 8 reported that Brac – the world's largest NGO – was going to close the operation of its 38 booths at the end of the current month owing to financial constraints.

The news was published based on a letter Brac sent to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) informing that it would be unable to run the booths after 31 August, said a press release.

Brac has been running 97 booths across the country for the last six months with its own funding to assist the DGHS in Covid-19 testing. 

Owing to financial constraints, Brac informed the DGHS in written about its inability to operate 40 booths in Dhaka city after August 31.

In the meantime, Brac has been reaching out to donors and partners to mobilise resources. It has very recently secured a donation from The Global Fund, which will enable it to keep the booths open till December 31, 2020, according to the release.

A letter with the latest updates of the situation was already scheduled to be sent to the DGHS on Monday.

In the statement, Brac reiterated its commitment to continue to support the government and the people of Bangladesh in any national crisis.

It will continue to play a key role in the pandemic response and recovery, to the best of its ability and with support from the donors and partners, it also said.

BDST: 1315 HRS, AUG 10, 2020
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