Home ›› 02 Oct 2021 ›› Front
The government had approved Covid-19 antibody tests on 24 January this year, but for research purposes only. Even after eight months, a person seeking to undergo such a test currently has no way of availing it.
A lack of government approval for such tests at the individual level is preventing people from gaining tangible data on their antibody level, this in turn is making it difficult to determine whether they have enough protection against the deadly virus, experts have said.
Antibodies are a type of blood protein produced in response to and counteracting specific antigens – such as the novel coronavirus. It may offer some immunity, but there is a lack of evidence on whether having antibodies means protection against Covid-19 reinfection.
A number of public health experts told The Business Post that carrying out antibody tests is very important following Covid-19 inoculation, because the results can show whether the vaccine recipients have gained antibodies or not.
On 3 June last year, the National Technical Advisory Committee on Covid-19 had also recommended launching antibody tests for individuals.
On the issue, a committee member and also former vice-chancellor of the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Hospital (BSMMU) Prof Nazrul Islam said, “The government should test for antibodies at the individual level.
“The move will help the government plan better for future vaccinations, and also inspire people to get inoculated.”
Director (Hospital) of Directorate General of Health Services Farid Hossain Mia said, “The government is yet to make any decision for carrying Covid-19 antibody tests at an individual level. We are now using such tests for research purposes only.”
Responding to a query, Gonoshasthaya Kendra Coordinator Muhib Ullah Khandaker said, “We developed a Rapid Testing Kit and it is ready for carrying out the tests. The icddr’b has found the kit effective as well.
“Though the kit’s performance is good, the government is not giving us permission to use them publicly. We developed the kit after spending Tk50 lakh, but the government is delaying its public use.”
DGHS officials said they have requested directions from the health ministry on allowing Covid-19 antibody tests for individuals in the country.
After approving such tests this January for research purposes, the government had finalised a policy in this regard in June – during a spike in Covid-19 cases.
