US CDC to test capacity of Gonoshasthaya’s COVID-19 kit

Gonoshasthaya Kendra has submitted all the necessary information regarding the kit it invented for the rapid test of novel coronavirus infections to Bangladesh Medical Research Centre (BMRC).

Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder Zafrullah Chowdhury said the BMRC pledged to take actions to test the performance capacity of the kits.

The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has also asked for 800 kits invented by the Gonoshasthaya Kendra to test its detection capacity.

Speaking to Prothom Alo over phone on Tuesday, Zafrullah said, “I won’t sign any agreement with any Contract Research Organisation (CRO) for devising the protocol of the kit. There could be chances of dealings in the system. The documents of the kit have been given to the BMRC. They said they would take actions quickly.”

Gonoshasthaya Kendra on Saturday organised a programme to handover its rapid COVID-19 test kit to the government. Gonoshasthaya Kendra scientists said the coronavirus detection would be easier and economical using the ‘GR COVID-19 Dot Blot’ kit they invented. They handed over the kit to the CDC representatives for tests of the kit.

A tension has been prevailing among various government organisations and the Gonoshasthaya Kendra over the approval of the kit. Both the sides have already hold press conferences over the issue.

In a press briefing on Monday, the Directorate General of Drug Administration said the government was cautious with the rapid test kit from the very beginning. The World Health Organisation has not given permission to use the rapid test kits. The government is also not thinking hard about allowing rapid test kits for detection of coronavirus infections.

Zafrullah Chowdhury said the CDC, in a written document, said they want to test the capacity of the Gonoshasthaya Kendra-invented kit. They will provide the kits to the CDC within a week.

He further said he has no objections if the icddr,b wants to test the kit’s performance capacity. Suchinta Foundation will bear the costs of the tests to check the capacity of the kit at icddr,b or anywhere else.