Taking advantage of the dengue epidemic in the country, an unscrupulous circle has become active. The gang is smuggling ‘fake’ dengue kit tests from India in the hope of more profit. A shipment has been caught by the police.
The police have sent these kits to the laboratory to find out whether they are genuine or fake. These are initially thought to be substandard. Recently, there was confusion about dengue test results. Some were infected with dengue but the test results were negative. However, the authorities did not investigate whether this happened because of these smuggled kits. Meanwhile, the police increased vigilance after the dengue test kit was caught. Public health experts say that effective measures should be taken quickly to prevent the spread of these kits.
A top official of the Department of Health told Dhaka Daily yesterday, ‘Instructions have been given to all hospitals and clinics regarding the kit. However, as there are reports of unauthorized kits entering the country, the Health Department will take extra precautions. However, the health department claims that government approved kits are being used in hospitals and clinics of the country. Director General of Health Department Abul Bashar Mohammad Khurshid Alam told Dhaka Pratidin, ‘The matter is of concern.
The Department of Health will take action in this regard, so that no hospital-clinic or any other private level is used without the government’s approved kit.’ Regarding the shipment of seized kits, the police said that the arrested wanted to supply them to various private hospitals. These kits are not approved. Using these tests, a patient who does not have dengue can be identified as having dengue. Depending on the test of this kit, if the doctor gives the prescription to the patient, it can cause serious danger to the patient. According to the police, a large quantity of Indian dengue test kits were seized after searching the Chittagong-bound microbus in Matiranga upazila of Khagrachari last Monday afternoon. Meanwhile, six people including the driver of the microbus were arrested. The arrested are Md. Saudagar neighborhood of Vernal Union of Matiranga Upazila. Anwar Hossain (28), Dakbangla Muslim neighborhood. Zakir Hossain (30), Chairman Parar. Muhim Uddin (28), member of Dakbangla Alauddin neighborhood. Jahangir Alam (28), Main Uddin (28) of the same area and Mistry Para of Matiranga municipality. Rabiul Islam.
Superintendent of Police of Khagrachari Mukta Dhar told Dhaka Pratidin, ‘The microbus was raided on the basis of secret information that the Indian dengue kit was being taken to Chittagong from Baranal in Matiranga. Meanwhile, 900 pieces of Indian dengue kits, 2,700 plastic ampoules, 1,300 small plastic droppers were seized in three white plastic bags. The market value of seized dengue test kit and other goods is around 10.5 lakh taka.
He said, ‘Recently, an unscrupulous gang is taking advantage of the threat of dengue disease in the country and is smuggling Indian dengue test kits without the approval of the government in the hope of making more profit. There are doubts about the efficacy of these smuggled Indian dengue kit. The seizure kits will be sent to the lab for testing by the court. Only after the lab test will we know whether these kits are genuine or fake.’
This police officer also said that the arrestees will be remanded and anyone else related to this incident will be seen. Inspector (Investigation) Sharif of Matiranga Police Station said, ‘A case has been filed under the Special Powers Act against those detained in this incident. It was sent to the court last Tuesday afternoon.
Public health expert Benazir Ahmed, expressing concern over the arrival of the kits in the stolen way, told Dhaka Pratidin, ‘The police and the health department should enter the field with a zero tolerance policy in this regard. Otherwise, public health will be in grave danger. Destruction will happen to dengue patients.’
