A testing strategy is being developed with rapid tests in schools

Students / Photo: EPA-EFE / CAROLINE BLUMBERG

The proposal of the first children's embassy "Megjashi", to introduce free testing in schools, was first accepted by the Municipality of Ilinden, which donated rapid tests to the three primary schools. However, no Skopje municipality will follow this example, because their budgets do not provide funds for that purpose, and they do not have a legal opportunity to make procurements during elections.

- We follow the guidelines of the Ministry of Education and Science as well as the recommendations of the Commission for Infectious Diseases. Funds are regularly allocated for hygiene and disinfectants, but not for rapid tests, we were answered by the municipality of Gjorce Petrov.

We received a similar answer from Karposh and Centar.

- We are in communication with the Ministry of Education and Science and the Ministry of Health, but we have no announcement for free PSR tests in schools, say from Karposh.

- At the beginning of each school year, the municipality provides hygiene items for each school, as well as disinfectants, say from the Center.

On the other hand, the Minister of Health Venko Filipce says that these days the methodology for testing students with rapid antigen tests will be presented.

- In the coming days we will present in detail the methodology for screening testing of students in primary and secondary schools with rapid antigen tests. The fact is that there is a transmission, although very small, it still exists. We want to do a screening of the condition because very often children are also asymptomatic carriers. A methodology is currently being developed for the number of students that will be tested, said Filipce.

Asked who will perform the tests, whether the school staff will do it or medical staff will be hired, the minister said that he will talk to the epidemiologists in the public health centers and the staff in the health centers because they will have to be engaged more people.

A longtime pediatrician who wished to remain anonymous for fear of pressure and labeling says testing children in schools is absolutely unnecessary.

- How will it be assessed which child to be tested and which not, who will make that assessment? The swab must be properly taken and read correctly, so medical personnel must be involved in the process. It is good to test children, but not every child who coughs or has a runny nose can have a nose swab taken right away. In addition, it should be borne in mind that this is a sensitive age and there is a danger of serious rejection and opposition of the youngest, especially if it has to be repeated several times. Even if a positive child appears, there is no need to be afraid, because they pass the virus as the most common cold, says the doctor.

Prof. Dr. Niko Bekarovski from the Toxicology Clinic appeals for the timely procurement of the fast combined antigen tests Covid / InfluenzaA / B Combo test, which will make it much easier to find out if a person is infected with covid-19 or has a flu infection.

- With the arrival of autumn and winter this year, the seasonal flu will inevitably strike us. Therefore, while the prices of the tests are still not expensive on the world stock market, immediately get the fast combined antigen tests Covid / InfluenzaA / B Combo test, with which for a relatively cheap and short time we will be able to immediately diagnose patients with covid-19 and seasonal flu. In a month it may be too late, says Dr. Bekarovski.

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