While addressing a meeting of the national committee for Covid-19 prevention on May 30, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen expressed his skepticism over accuracy of the samples being tested for coronavirus in Bangladesh.
At the meeting, the minister said some Bangladeshi nationals went to Japan and South Korea with a Covid-19 negative certificate after being tested in Bangladesh, but many of them turned out to be positive when they were tested again in those countries.
“It has created a negative impression over receiving Bangladeshi nationals in those countries,” the minister said at the meeting.
He also emphasized on the need for ensuring quality (accurate) testing for Covid-19 infection, according to the minutes of the meeting.
Later, the committee decided to expand the testing facilities and ensure accuracy of the tests being conducted.
The case of Japan
Japan has very recently restricted chartered flights operated by national flag carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines, alongside the ban on regular flights, when some passengers were found to be positive for Covid-19 upon arrival.
“Following the news of four passengers of a chartered flight to Japan testing positive for Covid-19, we launched an inquiry to find out if there were problems from our side. But, ,later we found that the responsibility does not fall on us as the Japanese embassy chartered the flights and the passenger list was prepared by them,” Foreign Minister Abdul Momen told the Dhaka Tribune on Tuesday.
“We do not have any responsibility in this regard,” he said.
Currently, Bangladesh is among the nine countries from where Japan has decided not to allow flights, said the foreign minister.
Why is Bangladesh worried?
Some passengers carrying Bangladeshi coronavirus-negative health certificates were found to be coronavirus positive when they landed in South Korea recently.
“Five of them were identified as Covid-19 positive at the airport,” said Abdul Momen.
“We are very much worried. The concern now is whether the organizations that issued the certificates are recognized institutions or these passengers were buying fake Covid-19 negative certificates to ensure travel,” he said.
Referring to the media reports, the minister said it costs Tk5,000 to get a fake Covid-19 negative certificate, which is very worrying.
On Monday, members of the Rapid Action Battalion detained four members of a fraud ring for allegedly selling fake Covid-19 negative certificates.
Several fake Covid-19 negative certificates and equipment used to manufacture these were also seized from their possession.
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RAB said the gang sells Covid-19 negative certificates for people willing to travel overseas or join their workplaces, at a cost of Tk5,000-Tk7,000.
Regarding the accuracy of test results, the foreign minister said a number of private organizations received testing permits in Bangladesh, but there is a need to check whether all their test results were accurate.
“The Foreign Ministry sent a letter to the Health Ministry to take a strict stand so that the test results are standard and accurate,” he said.
We have to look at whether we can select some of the labs, following examinations, and only authorize them to issue certificates, he said, adding that this proposal will be floated in a meeting with the Health Ministry in the coming days.
“We have to be careful and this will be our suggestion,” he said.
