TIRANA, Aug 17 /ATA/ “Starting from September, testing capacity will be doubled, increasing the number of on-the- field teams, necessary infrastructure and laboratory capacity.”
Minister of Health and Social Protection, Ogerta Manastirliu, together with the public health experts, outlined on Monday the strategy for ramping up the testing and tracking ability as well as increase of laboratory capacities.
Stressing that since the advent of the epidemic, the number of tests has increased thrice as high, Manastirliu said that the capacities are being built up starting from September.
“We are making every effort in our capacity to respond to the expected situation in autumn-winter. Our national testing structure will ensure that demands of suspected and infected citizens for testing and diagnostics are fully met. In the framework of further testing coverage, we are working to double the tests from September, ” said Manastirliu.
Outlining the autumn-winter plan for increasing the testing capacities, the Minister of Health and Social Protection put the emphasis on reinforcing some elements necessary to ramp up surveillance, testing, tracking and laboratory capacities.
“Capacities will be expanded with new equipment. “Not only will we increase the capacities in some public laboratories in the country, but also in cooperation with the non-public sector,” said Manastirliu.
Starting from September, the staff of epidemiologists and assistant epidemiologists will increase by 30%. The dedicated fleet of Mobile Units for on-the field epidemiological investigation will be expanded. During the presentation of the measures for autumn-winter, Minister of Health stated that the Albanian government has decided to significantly increase the funding available for free vaccination of all vulnerable groups.
“The autumn-winter strategy includes the multiplication of free flu vaccines to cover all at-risk groups, determined by IPH experts, from health personnel, to the elderly, educators, teachers, children 2-5 years old, etc.,” said Manastirliu.
Speaking about the current situation, Manastirliu said that Albania continues to have more stable indicators compared to other countries in the region.
“If we take a close look at the situation of the last two weeks, Albania is among the countries with the lowest number of positive cases and fatalities in the region, but these are tallies that should not be published in the midst of the war. “What this pandemic has taught us is that the will of citizens to follow the measures is crucial in this battle,” said the Minister of Health.
Unveiling the epidemiological investigation and testing strategy, Minister Manastirliu commended the support of USAID and WHO partners providing 12 Mobile Units that add to the current capacity for epidemiological tracking, testing and investigation to stem the spread of COVID-19.
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