The Ministry of Health made a very important announcement regarding the testing of the population of Bucharest for possible infection with the new Coronavirus, or for the existence of antibodies following an undetected infection, i.e. an asymptomatic case.
The Ministry of Health comes with these clarifications following the scandal that started these days regarding the tests that were done in Bucharest, and it is good for everyone to know what to expect if they do such a test.
"Considering the statements regarding the testing of the population in Bucharest, we specify that the Ministry of Health and the Bucharest Public Health Directorate support any initiative to test the population for COVID-19, under the law, with compliance with the safety rules for such a medical procedure and of the epidemiological and scientific recommendations of the specialists of the National Institute of Public Health.
We specify that, on May 26, 2020, the Bucharest Hospitals and Medical Services Administration (ASSMB) requested DSP MB "specialist public health assistance for the testing centers at the National Arena, where the testing program with rapid tests for the determination of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies at the level of the Bucharest population", as well as the provisional authorization of the space within the National Arena intended for testing.
After the analysis of the documents submitted by the ASSMB, the public health directorate requested the completion of the file with a series of documents regarding the circuits of the citizens, the circuits of the staff, the protocols and procedures established for this testing, the service contract for the collection of medical and household waste, etc.
Following the analysis of all the documentation submitted by the ASSMB and the field evaluation carried out by the team of specialists of the Public Health Directorate of the Municipality of Bucharest, as well as after consulting the legislation in force which stipulates that the authorization of the test centers must comply with the provisions of the Order of the Minister of Health no. 1338/2007 for the approval of the Norms regarding the functional structure of medical and dental practices, with subsequent amendments and additions, respectively of the Order of the Minister of Health no. 1301/2007 for the approval of the Norms regarding the operation of medical analysis laboratories, with subsequent amendments and additions, it was found that the ASSMB request does not fall within any of the legal requirements, being neither a medical office nor an external collection point of a laboratory.
The verification procedure in the field and of the documentation sent by the ASSMB to the Directorate of Public Health of the Municipality of Bucharest took place during two weeks, falling within the legal term provided by the Order of the Minister of Health no. 1030/2009 regarding the approval of sanitary regulation procedures for the location, arrangement, construction projects and for the operation of the objectives that carry out activities with a risk for the health of the population, with subsequent modifications and additions.
At the same time, on June 10, 2020, a field check was carried out by the sanitary inspectors of the Public Health Control Service of the Public Health Directorate of the Municipality of Bucharest, who recommended the measure of carrying out the testing activity only with the possession of the sanitary operating authorization, according to the legal provisions in force.
On 11.06.2020, a new field check was carried out by the health inspectors at the level of the National Arena to ascertain whether the previously ordered measure is being respected, finding that no activity of any kind is taking place, the location being closed.
The Ministry of Health draws attention to the fact that the statements appearing in the public space regarding "blocking tests" or "hiding the truth" regarding the number of infected patients are malicious and totally unfounded, coming from ignorance of the health system, procedures, medical protocols and therapeutic guidelines.
The Ministry of Health draws attention to the fact that such "fake news" can affect patients, inducing an unjustified state of insecurity."
