DODHARA CHANDANI, June 5: A shortage of COVID-19 test kits in Sudurpaschim Province has hampered screening efforts at key border points with India, even as new cases emerge.
According to Hemraj Joshi, the epidemic focal person at the Provincial Health Directorate, testing has stalled at border points like Gauriphanta and Gaddachauki due to a lack of Rapid Antigen kits. "Three people tested positive for COVID-19 at Gauriphanta on Wednesday, but we lack the resources for further testing," Joshi said. “We’ve requested additional kits from the federal and provincial governments."
Flowflex COVID-19 self-test kit in Nepali market
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The confirmed cases include a 20-year-old man from Punarbas in Kanchanpur, a 32-year-old from Dhakari in Achham, and a 24-year-old woman from Dhangadhi in Kailali. Their samples have been sent to the National Public Health Laboratory in Teku, Kathmandu, for PCR testing and variant identification.
The Ministry of Health and Population has instructed hospitals and labs to remain on alert for a potential outbreak, especially as infections surge in neighboring India and open borders increase transmission risks.
However, district health offices say that without adequate kits, they are unable to conduct tests at border health desks. Om Prakash Joshi, chief of Kanchanpur District Health Office, said rising footfall at the Gaddachauki checkpoint has intensified the demand for testing, but they are still awaiting supplies from higher authorities.
Even Mahakali Provincial Hospital in Mahendranagar, which receives symptomatic patients, has been unable to test due to the shortage, hospital Spokesperson Shanta Prasad Joshi confirmed.
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