As the coronavirus pandemic cannot be fought blindfolded, all suspected cases require to be tested, but when it comes to testing of samples and getting results, manifold sufferings and woes chase the suspected corona patients.
Suspected patients have to bear the burden of waiting in uline for a long time before getting opportunities to give samples. This is not the end as they have to wait for 4-5 days even up to 10 days to get the results. Such ordeal is creating the risk of coronavirus infection, besides inflicting blows of suffering on all corona test-seekers.
Doctors said many patients are not being treated properly due to untimely reports. When the report comes, the patient's condition is getting worse. The biggest problem is that the correct report is not coming. In the morning it is called negative when it is called negative in the evening. Moreover, many positive patients’ reports are coming negative.
Manzur Hossain, a resident of Dhaka's Kalabagan, gave his samples at BRAC booth on June 8 with corona symptoms. Later, the symptoms got better. He was going to the office regularly and stayed with his family members normally. Eight days later, last Thursday morning, he found out that his result was positive, although he has no symptoms till now.
Another Dhaka resident, journalist Abdullah Al Imran and his wife were infected with coronavirus. After 39 days, they recovered from coronavirus.
Imran said that “When we were corona infected, we went to isolation and the treatment was continuing according to the doctor's advice. After 21 days, after testing the samples, we got negative reports. Finally, when we gave our samples for testing then my wife tested negative but I tested positive for two times and the report became negative after fourth test. I received the last report 5 days later.”
"There is no end to the suffering of ordinary people in the country's hospitals and medical facilities. Despite my position and strong communication, we have faced troubles for sample tests and getting reports. So, those who have the opportunity to stay at home will have to decide whether to stay at home or fall into uncertainty with these misfortunes,” he added.
Member of the National Technical Advisory Committee and former Vice-Chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Virologist Prof. Dr. Nazrul Islam said the secret infection was spreading fast as it was so late to announce the results of the sample tests. If the secret infection is not stopped, the danger will increase. '
Expressing frustration over the awareness of the citizens, the expert said, ‘The government is campaigning so much for urging all to stay at home and those who have symptoms to stay in isolation. But people are not listening to that.’
According to the relevant sources, there is a crisis of technologists all over the country. Some people have been sent to the field to collect samples through three days of training in video conferencing after the outbreak of corona. They are not actually able to take samples properly. Although the Prime Minister consented to appoint 3,000 technologists, it was stalled due to bureaucratic complications. Later, the Prime Minister asked the concerned to appoint 183 technologists on an emergency basis. That too has not been possible yet.
Prof Nazrul said sample collection is very important for corona patients. If anyone can't take it properly, you won't get the right result. Skilled technologists are needed to take samples.
According to the DGHS, on an average 16,000 to 17,000 samples are being tested every day. So far 5 lakh 96 thousand 579 samples have been tested. However, the government has taken an initiative to test more than 30,000 samples a day to prevent coronavirus infection.
Experts say there is no other way to understand the actual situation without sample testing, and action can be taken accordingly. Therefore, the facility of sample testing should reach the doorsteps of the people failing which the peril will increase.
Officials said they are giving PCR test kits to labs every day in accordance with supply. If the infection does not subside this month, the situation cannot be treated with PCR tests alone. In this situation, the government will go for adopting alternative strategies like antigen and antibody testing.
The Ganosastha Kendra in the country has invented a kit to detect corona. However, an expert team from Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) said that the kit is not effective in detecting corona symptoms. However, the success of antibody test with this kit is 70 percent. A report is to be sent to the Department of Drug Administration for a decision in this regard. However, it did not reach until last Thursday.
Professor Nazrul Islam said that in the case of antibody tests, the success rate must be at least 90 percent. The 70 percent success seen in the Ganosastha Kenda’s kits will be of some benefit if it can be used with caution.
Experts said another reason for misreporting is low quality kits. There was a storm of criticism across the country over the supply of low-quality kits to Comilla Medical College.
On March 8, the first corona-infected person was identified in the country. The first death occurred on 18 March.
Additional Director General (Administration) of the DGHS Professor Nasima Sultana has urged everyone to maintain social distancing and abide by hygiene rules to avoid the risk of corona infection.