UNTAPPED when needed most

Due to a lack of coordination and support from the health ministry, a good number of laboratories and experts based in universities and government research institutions remain unutilised in the country's Covid-19 response.

At present, people are being screened for coronavirus in 33 designated centres equipped with real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) instruments. Over 3,000 samples can be tested in the span of 24 hours at these centres.

In addition, there are some 26 RT-PCR instruments in 17 public institutions and 46 in 37 private ones, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

At these institutions, there are hundreds of scientists and technicians who have specialised knowledge and expertise in handling highly contagious pathogens like Covid-19 and using the RT-PCR machines.

But so far, out of the 17 public institutions equipped with RT-PCR, only three have started Covid-19 screening. They are Jashore University of Science and Technology (JUST), Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (CVASU) and Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute.

And seven non-government hospitals and institutions are conducting the coronavirus tests.

Experts point out the lack of coordination and support from the health ministry in underutilising available manpower and facilities.

For instance, on March 28, the University of Dhaka formed a technical committee to engage the university's scientists and experts in the Covid-19 response.

The technical committee sent a proposal to the health ministry stating the university's readiness to offer its laboratories for Covid-19 diagnosis, its experts' availability to provide training at newly developed testing facilities, and their capacity to manufacture RT-PCR test kits at an affordable cost.

However, the committee is yet to receive a reply to its proposal.

"We have been waiting for a month now since sending our proposal," said Dr Mamun Ahmed, a professor of DU's department of biochemistry and molecular biology and a member of the technical committee.

He was, however, told on April 27 by the administration that the health ministry had expressed interest in using the department's laboratory as a testing facility.

"But we have not received a formal reply to our proposal yet," said the molecular virology expert. 

The National Institute of Biotechnology, a leading government institute in the field, also has a RT-PCR-equipped BSL-2 laboratory and a team of around 40 scientists. This facility is also left unutilised.

Till last year, the institute has trained more than 100 scientists and technicians in handling and maintenance of RT-PCR instruments and biosafety hoods, said Palash Kumer Sarker, chief scientific officer of its microbial biotechnology division.

"We can train more and we are capable of conducting Covid-19 tests. It is unfortunate that our resources are not being utilised in this time of crisis."

Professor Dr Nasima Sultana, additional director general (administration) of the DGHS, said, "We have already visited many government institutions. The laboratories of some of these institutions need to be developed for Covid-19 tests. We are taking steps to expand testing facilities to the eligible laboratories."

Many government and non-government institutions that have RT-PCR machines are not eligible to conduct Covid-19 tests as they don't have biosafety hoods, she added.

Dr Nasima did not say anything specifically when asked about the DU technical committee's proposal. 

Scientists urge support and effective coordination from the government in this regard.

Prof Dr Muhammad Manjurul Karim of DU's microbiology department pointed out how doctors and academics in the field could benefit from collaboration.

"In our universities, microbiologists and biotechnologists don't get the opportunity to interact with patients although they conduct extensive research on these subjects using the most modern technology available.

"On the other hand, doctors frequently interact with patients but they have limited opportunities to conduct fundamental research on these subjects in the medical colleges."

The health ministry can coordinate so that researchers in universities receive a constant supply of samples from the medical centres, added Dr Manjurul.

Besides coordination, these institutions also need logistical support from the ministry, said Dr Md Iqbal Kabir Jahid, a professor of JUST's microbiology department and associate director of the Genome Centre.

The university institutes have limited funding and supplies of laboratory equipment, he said.

"Some institutes may have the instruments but their biosafety level may need upgradation. Other institutes may not have sufficient funds to purchase essential laboratory equipment.

"If the health ministry comes forward to plug these gaps, we shall be able to deploy a massive force of manpower and equipment to detect and fight Covid-19," said Dr Iqbal.

Researchers are also concerned about the shortage of skilled manpower in the future and emphasised improving training programmes to handle the crisis now.

In JUST's Genome Centre, only a handful of teachers could be deployed for conducting Covid-19 tests. Dr Iqbal said his team had to refuse many samples from suspected Covid-19 patients due to a shortage of manpower.

In CVASU, the teachers have engaged several students in conducting Covid-19 tests -- starting from April 25.

"Many of our students and teachers only have short-term training on handling pathogens like Covid-19 and RT-PCR instruments," said Professor Dr AMAM Zonaed Siddiki, of CVASU's department of pathology and parasitology.

As a result, they are worried about the risks and many are reluctant to work in the laboratory, he said.

"In this situation, the authorities concerned should enhance training facilities to produce more expert hands."

Researchers are also asking for financial security from the government as many of them are working on a voluntary basis and without health insurance, despite the risks.

"We, the faculty, have been working in the testing facility without any remuneration for weeks as we consider it a service to the nation," said Dr Zonaed.

"Since, we have to recruit more people in the near future, particularly young researchers, to manage the increasing number of cases, we should develop a remuneration plan and health insurance plan for this workforce."

Professor Dr Nasima Sultana of DGHS told The Daily Star there is no such plan so far due to the uncertainty of the crisis and how long it might last.

"So, we have not developed any remuneration plan for these researchers yet. But, we have collected the names of those who have been working in the laboratories."