Coronavirus: Test as many samples as possible

The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has been slack and indecisive regarding COVID-19 outbreak since its beginning. Due to their wrong decisions, the chaos in COVID-19 testing has reached its peak. Though they had said that there were no lack of preparations, the actual situation is becoming clear day by day.

Concerned people are aware of the severity of the situation. They know how fast the virus has spread across countries. The World Health Organization issued a message on 16 March saying ‘test, test, test,’. This has been ignored. Bangladesh is a densely populated country, but the tests were restricted to the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR). Though IEDCR is a research institution, it had the sole authority of testing. It’s not the institution’s duty to test the coronavirus suspects of the country. It does not own the capacity either.

From the very onset, we sought the government’s attention regarding this. We had suggested that the institutions capable to carry out the tests must be included in the process. Despite having a renowned institution like icddr,b in the country, the government did not initially allow it to carry out tests. As the DGHS became aware following the fast spread of infections it set up many testing centres in a hurry. But the testing too is not being carried out properly due to lack of standard equipment, trained and skilled workers. Due to manpower shortage, people have to wait in long queues before the testing centres. In some cases, test results are being provided after the patient has died.

Had the iccddr,b been included in the regulation of testing, monitoring, and manpower training, the testing of the centres would not be questioned. The problems regarding sample collection too could be avoided. As the infections has spread to an extreme, the IEDCR has been relieved of the task of testing. This has created problems for those who had their samples tested at the IEDCR first. They would be harassed less if they are allowed to have their second test at IEDCR too.

Considering the current rate of infections, experts suggest at least 10,000 tests should be carried out every day. But only 5,000 are being carried out at 33 testing centres named by the DGHS. The capacity should be strengthened without any delay. The DGHS is considering setting up booths at various spots. Along with increasing the number of booths, skilled and trained manpower should be ensured, too. It must be ensured that the testing standard cannot be questioned.

We have been saying all along that the private institutions should be included in the process. It’s assuring that the government has included BRAC in the sample collection process. More private institutions and organisations from the health sector should be involved. Coronavirus crisis must be fought combining all the capacity of the government and private sectors.