In response to growing concerns about the spread of COVID-19, Nepal’s Ministry of Health and Population is expediting the procurement of testing kits, including both polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and antigen varieties. This move comes as laboratories, such as the Provincial Public Health Laboratory of Sudurpaschim, report shortages of testing kits, posing a potential crisis if new infection cases rise. The ministry has opted for an emergency purchase to ensure the availability of testing resources promptly.
Officials have also called on agencies under provincial governments to independently procure testing kits, with reimbursement to follow. The conventional process outlined in the Public Procurement Act would take too long, and the immediate acquisition of testing kits is deemed essential to address the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the country.
In addition to testing kit shortages, many laboratories are facing a lack of trained personnel, as lab technicians hired during the initial stages of the pandemic were laid off due to a decline in new cases. The recent surge in COVID-19 cases in Nepal, along with the confirmation of the JN.1 sub-variant, emphasizes the need for proactive measures and increased vigilance.
The JN.1 strain, classified by the World Health Organization as a ‘variant of interest,’ is a descendant of the highly mutated BA.2.86 variant of the Omicron strain. While the risk posed by JN.1 is currently assessed as low based on available data, virologists and infectious disease experts are urging authorities to remain vigilant, especially with the onset of the marriage season and various festivals, which could contribute to the increased risk of infection in crowded settings.
