KUMJ | VOL. 18 | NO. 3 | ISSUE 71 | JULY-SEPT. 2020
Establishing PCR Testing in Nepal for Covid-19: Challenges and Opportunities
Khadka RB, Gyawali R
Abstract: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) invented by Kary Mullis (1983), has become
the centrepiece of molecular detection of various infectious diseases including
coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Many developing countries like Nepal
faces various challenges and grab many future opportunities during and after
establishment of molecular PCR laboratories throughout the country. This
viewpoint describes the involvement of laboratory employees, development and
adoption of new protocols or framework, deliberate partnership with national and
international community is very efficient for the establishment of PCR laboratories.
Beside this, continued alliance and nation leadership is crucial to generate a unified
and sustainable PCR laboratory network in the country like Nepal. In future the
established PCR laboratories can be utilized for the diagnosis of others pandemic
diseases and can be used for multipurpose like in verification of infectious diseases;
Oncology; Blood test; Genetic testing.
Keyword : COVID-19, Nepal, RT-PCR
