Increase number of laboratories, COVID-19 tests

At the very onset of the COVID-19 crisis, the World Health Organization stressed the need for carrying out as many tests as possible. The more tests are done, the better idea we will have about the disease’s pattern and making a decision would be easier. The Bangladeshi media, including Prothom Alo, had prioritized the number of tests as well. In reality, the need has increased, five months after the detection of the first case.

We could not take our daily tests past 15,000 yet. As far as this aspect is concerned, we are the worst in South Asia.

We fall below the standard set by WHO as well. The UN body says if a country carries out 10 to 30 tests to detect a coronavirus patient, it can be said that they are carrying the required number of tests. But in Bangladesh, one person is testing positive in every 5.5 tests. It only means the total number of patients is at least five times more than the government figures. But to be certain we have to carry out more and more tests.

We wonder why we lag so behind in terms of the number of tests. The biggest reason is lack of a proper plan and mismanagement. At the beginning, the entire duty was entrusted with one single organization – IEDCR. Although they did not have enough manpower, the government did not let other entities carry out the tests.

A number of private and government entities, including icddr,b, were not given the permission to take the tests despite having the required laboratory facilities. The media kept writing against it, but the government did not pay heed to them. At this moment, the health ministry is doing the coordination among the laboratories that are carrying out close to 15,000 tests a day.

However, the number of tests is still not adequate if we take the per cent of patients testing positive. Besides, people are facing immense suffering while registering for a test. At times, the tests are showing false results, too. Many allege that the tests are not being properly done. As a result, many people who should have been sent on isolation are roaming around freely.

Another frustrating fact is that about 5 per cent of the tests had to be cancelled due to a number of issues, including the samples not reaching the laboratories in due time. Every single day many samples remain untested, which creates a tailback in the laboratories.

There is no alternative but to increase the number of laboratories, equipment and technicians.