Gonoshasthaya Kendra kit not effective to detect COVID-19: BSMMU
The rapid test kit developed by the Gonoshasthaya Kendra is not effective to detect the novel coronavirus infection, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Hospital (BSMMU) vice chancellor professor Kanak Kanti Barua said on Wednesday.
A performance committee led by BSMMU professor Shahina Tabassum tested the efficacy of the kit.
Recently, the BSMMU vice chancellor told Prothom Alo that the report the committee would provide would be the final report. It won’t be rechecked by any other committee.
People have been talking about the Gonoshasthaya Kendra kit for long.
Following the Gonoshasthaya Kendra’s application, the Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA) on 30 April issued a letter to the BSMMU authorities to test the capacity of the kit, the Kendra scientists invented to detect novel coronavirus infections.
Later, on 2 May, the BSMMU authorities formed a 6-member committee to test the capacity of the kit.
Gonoshasthaya Kendra scientists Bijon Kumar Sil and Mohibullah Khandaker on 13 May handed over samples of rapid test kits to the committee of experts formed at the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University.
On 25 May, Gonosasthaya Kendra founder Zafrullah Chowdhury said he has been found positive for coronavirus. Speaking to Prothom Alo, Zafrullah said he was tested by the rapid dot blot kit invented by the Kendra.
Later, on 28 May, a RT-PCR test at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University also found Zafrullah Chowdhury positive for coronavirus infection.
On 13 June, Zafrullah Chowdhury found negative for the novel virus infection in a test done by the Kendra-developed rapid dot blot kit. Later, a RT-PCR test also found him negative for coronavirus infection.
The health condition of the Kendra founder, although recovered from novel coronavirus infection, deteriorated on Tuesday.
“Sir’s (Zafrullah’s) pneumonia problem has worsened and he’s suffering from breathing problem again,” Kendra public relations officer Forhad Hossain told the news agency on Tuesday night.
He said physicians prescribed Zafrullah a new antibiotic to ease the pneumonia problem.
Zafrullah has been receiving treatment at Gonoshasthaya Nagar Hospital in the city’s Dhanmondi area.
Zafrullah Chowdhury’s wife Shirin Haque and their son Barish Hasan Chowdhury were also tested positive for the novel virus infection but are taking treatment at home. Shirin Haque has already recovered.