We commend the great work being done by Dr Senjuti Saha and her father, Dr Samir Kumar Saha, who are currently leading a team of researchers responsible for successfully completing the genome sequencing for the novel coronavirus for the first time in Bangladesh last year.
It is extremely important that we continue to fund research like this, especially genome sequencing, in order to ensure that our research resources are being used in a way that allows us to be better prepared in our fight against the coronavirus.
It is because of Dr Senjuti and Dr Samir’s research that we were able to ascertain the fact that, until December, there was little to no change in the circulating viruses and that, it was only after the UK and South African variants made their way into the population that things began to get much, much worse.
As Dr Senjuti has said in an interview with the Dhaka Tribune, genome sequencing is crucial to understanding the state of the spread and variant of the virus and, consequently, being able to prevent catastrophes by knowing when and where new variants have shown up.
In addition, genome sequencing can also help us understand whether vaccines will prove to be effective against certain strains of the virus or not, thereby allowing us to plan and execute better when it comes to protecting the people of this nation.
With the Indian variant being the latest one to be discovered within our borders, research into the most effective vaccines and methods to prevent further hospitalization and death is crucial. We hope the government continues to invest in genome sequencing, not only for Covid-19, but also for its effectiveness in tackling other viruses and bacteria which may harm the health of the nation.
