Staff Reporter
Islamabad
The Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) Friday said its efforts against the global pandemic (COVID-19) has started yielding results as the country received a latest Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) machine from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).The support from the Vienna-based IAEA would augment Pakistan’s testing capacity for the COVID-19.
‘This valuable contribution of IAEA will surely help Pakistan increase its reliable testing capability for COVID-19,’ said the commission in a press release.
The PAEC has further requested IAEA to provide it with another such PCR machine, at a cost, as it is the latest of its kind in the world and first in the country.
‘The IAEA, in response, has graciously agreed to give a complete second set including a large number of testing kits by more than doubling the amount provided by PAEC,’ it said.
At the request of Pakistan, the IAEA is providing the former with COVID-19 testing equipment worth more than 100,000 euros.
The equipment includes Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) machine, Biohazard Safety Level (BSL) level-3 cabinets, testing kits and related paraphernalia to help the country set up a complete testing laboratory.
The Technical Cooperation department of the Agency is leading this effort. Some of the equipment including the latest real-time PCR machine has already reached Pakistan.
‘This kind gesture of the Agency shows its dedication to welfare of its Member States,’ the PAEC said.
