Efforts are still being made to operationalise two additional Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) machines in the country to further increase testing for the novel coronavirus.
Currently at the National Public Health Reference Laboratory, one PCR machine is being used to test samples for COVID-19. Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony told Stabroek News that while there are two other machines available and another has been ordered, technical personnel are working on getting those machines active.
Dr Anthony said that a technical team is working to equip the laboratory with a machine which was taken from the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA). However, he noted that the other machine which was recovered from the wharf is slightly different from the machine which is currently in use. “That one, the technical specification on how that one works is slightly different from what our technicians know about.”
He added that the ministry is in consultation with the Pan American Health Organization to assist in setting up that machine at the reference laboratory. The ramp-up in testing nation-wide has resulted in the accumulation of a backlog at the laboratory. Consequently, 500 tests were sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency in Trinidad to assist in decreasing the backlog.
“Our intention is to have additional capacity at the National Public Health Reference Lab and we’re also looking at another site where we can put another set of machines there so we will have two sites where we can process samples,” the health minister noted while adding that they have already looked at the area and assessments have been done.
When asked if there are any plans to have sample processing in the regions, he responded that currently, it is a technical challenge. Dr Anthony explained that for that to happen, laboratories in the regions would have to meet a certain standard before sample processing can be expanded regionally. “Many of our regional labs do not have those capabilities” the health minister disclosed.
He also pointed out that other testing machines like the “point of care” machine would be a better fit to have in the various regions. “They probably take as much as an hour to process, they might be slightly less accurate but they give you a good indication” he revealed. If the government is able to procure those machines, they would be more appropriate to have in the regions, he said. They have already had engagements to possibly procure the machines however, they are in high demand in the more developed countries so plans for those have not yet been finalised.
