Md. Atiqul Islam applied for a professional driving license with the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) last week, only to face significant challenges in completing the mandatory dope test to verify the absence of drug use. His ordeal, marked by a shortage of testing kits across multiple designated hospitals, reflects a widespread issue affecting numerous applicants in Dhaka and beyond.Atiqul first visited the National Institute of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation (NITOR), where a notice at the laboratory stated, “Dope test suspended due to lack of kits.” Lab staff confirmed this. He then went to the National Institute of Laboratory Medicine and Referral Centre in Agargaon, as listed on the BRTA form, but was told that only Dhaka district residents, per their national ID, could be tested there. At the National Institute of Diseases of the Chest and Hospital in Mohakhali, he learned that due to kit shortages, only 5–7 tests are conducted daily, with the next available slot after September 17. Lab technicians directed him to the National Institute of Mental Health, where he was informed that no more than 30 tests are scheduled daily, and immediate testing was not possible. Finally, Atiqul successfully submitted a sample at the Central Drug Addiction Treatment Hospital in Tejgaon.
Inquiries at several hospitals offering dope tests revealed that Atiqul’s experience is not unique. Many applicants face delays due to kit shortages, a problem also prevalent in district-level hospitals.
Md. A. Rahman Dewan, a lab technologist at the National Institute of Diseases of the Chest, told reporters, “Reagents purchased last fiscal year will last at most another month. The shortage will persist until new tenders are issued.”
Dr. Farhad Mahmud, head of NITOR’s Laboratory Medicine Department, said, “We used to conduct 150–200 tests daily. With kits depleted, testing is currently suspended. We’ve submitted a requisition to the hospital director, and testing can resume once supplies arrive. The director, Directorate General of Health Services, or the ministry can provide further details.” NITOR Director Dr. Abul Kenan noted, “There was a reagent shortage, but procurement is in progress. I need to check if dope test kits are included.”
Dr. M. Sahabuddin Ahmad, Director of the National Institute of Laboratory Medicine and Referral Centre, explained, “During COVID, the ERPP project provided additional manpower, enabling more tests. With the project ended, current staffing can’t manage the previous workload. After informing the Directorate General of Health Services, we were instructed to test only those with Dhaka City Corporation or Dhaka district IDs.”
Dr. Abu Ahsan Md. Moinul Hossain, Director (Hospitals and Clinics) at the Directorate General of Health Services, stated, “Hospitals designated for dope tests must procure kits and reagents from their MSR budgets. Any shortage is the responsibility of the hospital director. The directorate does not supply kits, as hospitals have the funds, manpower, and labs. They should explain the reasons for any suspension.” Medical experts clarify that a dope test is a medical examination to detect drug or alcohol use, identifying traces that remain in the body of regular users.
