Months after the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) gave their opinion on introducing antibody and antigen tests in the country, the Health Ministry has decided to introduce antigen tests.
In a press briefing at the ministry, Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid Maleque said there is no plan for introducing rapid antibody tests in the country right now.
“Initiatives have been taken to conduct antigen tests alongside PCR tests at government run labs only,” he added.
The minister made the statement on Monday after a medical equipment receiving program. The Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) handed over medical equipment to combat Covid-19, with the assistance of tech company Walton, at the Health Ministry.
Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi, and Telecommunications and Information Technology Minister Mustafa Jabbar, were present at the program.
TAITRA handed over 100,000 surgical masks, 1,600 N-95 masks, 20,000 cloth masks, 10,000 face shields, 500 PPE, 200 goggles, and two sets of ventilators to the government.
Health Ministry Additional Secretary Muhibur Rahman, who was tasked with finalizing the decision on antibody and antigen tests, told Dhaka Tribune last week that they had asked for advice from the technical committee on the matter.
Earlier in late June, the DGHS sent their support for the introduction of antibody and antigen tests, given the Covid-19 situation in the country.
All units concerned, working on bringing in vaccines
The health minister said every unit of the government concerned with bringing in Covid-19 vaccines, is working efficiently to do so at the earliest possible time.
He also said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is regularly inquiring about progress on the vaccine front.
Zahid Maleque said clinical trials of vaccines are advancing globally and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will direct which vaccines to bring in after observing their effectiveness.
At present, several countries including the United Kingdom, China, Russia, USA and India, are in the final stages of clinical trials.
At the equipment handover program, Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi praised the government’s efforts to fight the pandemic with limited available resources.
“Public awareness is key in the current situation,” he added.
Praising health care professionals, police, and journalists, for their efforts in the Covid-19 pandemic, Information Technology Minister Mustafa Jabbar said his ministry has done its best to support the Health Ministry.
He said the postal department has delivered medical equipment as required at no charge.
They have also provided technical support for the setup of call centre services of the health authorities and ensure they are uninterrupted, he added.
He also said, even people in remote villages have realized that their lives would have been shattered by the pandemic without a digital Bangladesh.
