By Rumbidzai Chiriseri
The government is moving to decentralise the COVID-19 testing exercise before they can start roll out of door-to-door testing campaigns that would be based on the rise of the coronavirus cases.
Minister of Health and Child Care Dr Obadiah Moyo said government is looking forward to decentralising the COVID-19 testing exercise before they can embark on the aggressive door-to-door tests.
”We are in the process of decentralising the whole process. We have the kits for PCR (polymerase chain reaction) testing and the PCR is the definitive testing used to detect early infections,” said Dr Moyo.
The Health Minister also said they have a partnership agreement with the National University of Science and Technology in Bulawayo to for institution to assist health authorities during this pandemic.
”However, while it is being done just in Harare, the Ministry of Health has already entered an agreement with National University of Science and Technology (NUST) so that their equipment can be used at Mpilo Hospital, where there is a level three laboratory,” said the minister.
He added that in rural areas like Gokwe and other districts there will be a rapid response team that will attend to any case, and for high risk areas like Beitbridge rapid testing will be conducted.
Dr Moyo also said that, the only reliable testing that is taking place in the country is being carried by the government and not private hospitals and he is looking forward to getting more tests kits that produce instant results.
”As government, we are using the golden standard which is definitive, although this takes five hours for results to show. We hope to get more testing kits so that we come up with results early,” Dr Moyo added.
