Rangpur’s COVID Conundrum: Testing Halted Amid Equipment Breakdown and Kit Shortage
All three RT-PCR machines in Rangpur Division have remained nonfunctional for the past three years, with no testing kits available, effectively suspending COVID-19 sample collection and testing. The situation has sparked concern among residents, particularly as the number of infections begins to rise once again.
Frustrated locals from neighborhoods such as Munshipara and Hanumantola voiced their discontent after being turned away from the city health office. “We’ve been going to the City Corporation’s health department repeatedly for COVID tests,” one resident said, “but we’re told that sample collection isn’t possible due to a shortage of testing kits.”
Dr. Shaheen Sultana, the Civil Surgeon of Rangpur, acknowledged that testing has not yet resumed but stated that isolation wards have been prepared at upazila health complexes. “A request for the required testing kits has already been submitted to the relevant department. Testing will resume once the kits arrive,” she added.
According to sources, a requisition signed by Dr. Akhtaruzzaman, Deputy Director of Rangpur Medical College Hospital, has been submitted to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), requesting 3,000 rapid antigen test kits. Dr. M.A. Aziz, Assistant Professor of Microbiology and in-charge of the PCR lab at the same medical college, confirmed that a separate requisition has also been sent, listing kits, manpower, PPE, surgical gloves, and other essentials.
Officials at the Rangpur Divisional Health Directorate disclosed that three PCR machines—one at Dinajpur Medical College and two at Rangpur Medical College—are all inoperative due to a lack of essential components. Consequently, COVID-19 testing across the division’s eight districts is currently on hold, with no clear timeline for resumption.
Dr. Wazed Ali, Divisional Deputy Director at the DGHS, reassured local media: “There’s no need for panic over COVID-19. Efforts are underway to repair the PCR machines, and we hope to restore them soon.” He added that a meeting with civil surgeons from all districts would be held to provide necessary directives, and all preventive measures would be taken.
However, health department sources across the division report a growing number of patients presenting with COVID-like symptoms, and in the absence of functional testing infrastructure, no diagnoses are being confirmed. Since 2023, the machines have remained idle, leading to a complete halt in testing services.
The health office of Rangpur City Corporation confirmed that due to the unavailability of testing kits, no samples are currently being collected. Officials expressed their readiness to begin testing as soon as the kits arrive, but were unable to specify a timeline.
Dr. Palash Kumar Roy, a medical officer at the City Corporation, urged the public to continue observing preventive measures. “Just like before, people must wash hands and wear masks to stay safe from COVID-19. Those with respiratory symptoms should take extra caution,” he advised. He also confirmed that testing would resume once kits are supplied, although no definitive date has been given by health authorities.
Several residents expressed their dissatisfaction after being denied testing at the City Corporation’s health office. Altaf Hossain, a local, told Bangla Tribune, “I went with fever and cold symptoms to get tested, but the medical officer said there were no kits. I don’t understand why the health department isn’t supplying them. We are now afraid that the virus will spread again.”
