Director of the National Laboratory: When I came to work here, I did not expect to see a video like this

The dramatic increase in the volume of COVID-19 research has led to a sharp increase in the need for testing tools, making it urgent to decide how to get out of the situation. At the end of November, it was decided to carry out unprecedented negotiations for the acquisition of COVID-19 research materials.

Delfi spoke with Delfi about how long the investigative tools will suffice and whether they will not be exhausted if the scope of the tests unexpectedly increases again D. Bakša.

– Most of the Lithuanian population learned about NVSPL during the pandemic. But after all, the lab does a lot of other tests, not just tests for COVID-19. What research does NVSPL do?

– We carry out biochemical, immunological, chemical, environmental, air, water, soil, food, tobacco, microbiological, indoor air detection, water leaching, biological indicators, parasitology, virology and others. The range of research we carry out is probably the widest in Lithuania.

– Do you also provide payment services?

– Yes. Currently, we receive less than 40 percent of total budget revenue and 60 percent. Income consists of paid services.

With us, the prices are quite competitive. For example, we conduct clinical trials in many cases at twice the cost of some private ones. Such a vital example: determining the concentration of cholesterol in the blood in our country costs only 1.13 euros, elsewhere, more expensive. Glucose intolerance costs 1.40 euros. Those examples abound. We are a state institution, therefore the prices are suitable for one person.

– However, most of the research done since last spring probably now refers to COVID-19 infection.

– Now we have COVID-19 on the wave, and it is precisely these studies that are being carried out. The challenge is great, but I am very happy with the staff who work with patience and determination. They are able to work with inhuman charges and achieve a positive result.

– Are you only analyzing samples from mobile points and treatment facilities?

– Very different. Part comes from medical institutions, mobile points, part, based on the decisions of the Operations Manager, we assemble ourselves. There are established groups of people from whom we take samples and test them. Most of them are people from the public sector: members of the Government, Seimas, etc. – investigation.

– And can other people come to you to get tested for COVID-19?

– Unfortunately, the price of the COVID-19 study has not yet been approved, it is not up to us. Therefore, we do not provide that service externally yet. We do not receive any payment for COVID-19 testing.

– Does Lithuania currently have sufficient resources to conduct COVID-19 studies? After all, research equipment purchases are made through you.

– Oh yeah, through us. This part is really very sensitive and there have been many waves of all kinds. When I came here to work, I didn’t expect the whole picture I had to face to see that unadorned routine: how employees worked, under what conditions, what was the pace of their work and what processes were happening, how things worked. they were constantly changing. It was really strong.

Now we have started buying, according to which we will buy a sufficiently large number of instruments. When we organize that purchase, we calculate the number of necessary measures according to the increasing scope of the investigation so that it is enough for half a year.

Currently, research volumes are declining. If previously at least 60 thousand. research per week, currently the research volume is ending to reach an average of 50 thousand, which is not unnatural since the number of sick people is decreasing.

As we have seen throughout the history of COVID-19 in Lithuania, as the number of patients decreases, the number of those experiencing the symptoms of COVID-19 decreases and the scope of the investigation decreases accordingly.

Under the current research strategy, there should be a significant reduction in CRP testing provided, of course, that our morbidity continues to decline.

– So, the measures should be sufficient for at least half a year?

– We have contracts from half a year to one year. It is true that together with CPO LT we created an electronic catalog and in the future those purchases should be much simpler and easier. On the other hand, it will again depend on the scope of the investigation. Now, since rapid antigen tests should be included in the testing algorithms, I think we really have a sufficient amount under contracts.

Of course, it’s always good to think ahead and think of the same state reserve that we have with personal protective medical teams. I am very interested that we have access to the accumulation of the state reserve also with these measures.

– How do you ensure that the tools required for testing are reliable and that the history of the first wave of purchases of fewer reagents is not repeated?

– Those “less reactive” are now relatively widely used in educational institutions. Now it is difficult to say why they were wrong. It was another kind of scandal.

And we only buy certified instruments that are approved in the European Union and furthermore the instruments are checked on a certain sample to determine if they are used correctly or not.

– Let’s remember the story when, at the end of last year, research tools were lacking and had to be acquired through unannounced negotiations.

– There were many challenges. Then the research volume was multiplied by three. I don’t know how many times the number of mobile points has increased; all this is necessary. The amounts of tools available were probably only calculated for a few months, that was before me, so it’s difficult to assess how it was calculated. But when I arrived, there was a situation in which we realized: somehow we had to react.

The system was scraping all the seams, someone needed to take responsibility, take care of it quickly and quickly. We then took advantage of the provisions of the legislation and did those undisclosed negotiations. These were probably the most difficult unannounced negotiations in Lithuania’s history, and we not only achieved higher supplier activity than in ordinary open tenders, but also saved more than 300 thousand euros. I think it was a very correct step and very well executed at the time.

And now we only buy through an international open tender. This means that there are no short deadlines. Everything takes 1.5 to 2 months plus delivery. But we fully comply with the requirements and recommendations for procurement and other services.

– If the number of new COVID-19 cases were to increase again in Lithuania, how long would these measures be sufficient for the investigation? Are we well enough prepared for that now?

– We are having a lot of discussions with the Ministry of Health on how to further develop the research algorithm and what steps to take to be prepared, even if there is a third wave. Of course, I would very much like it not to be, and I hope it is not, but we still have to prepare for it.

When it comes to PCR testing tools, I have no doubt that there will be no shortage of them, because we have a large number of them right now. It is not realistic that we run out. And from now on everything will be determined by the political, strategic things that are accepted. There are many questions. We will also get to these.

– When he started running the NVSPL, the government of Lithuania changed. The new Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė was also criticized by you. What is your relationship now?

– In principle, I try not to get involved in politics. I am not a politician, you do not belong to any party. Politics, not for me. I am a specialist, manager, lawyer. I do my best to do my job the best I can.

Relations with the Ministry are very constructive. We work very hard together. There are some questions here, I don’t think.

I have no relationship with the prime minister. My immediate superior is the Minister of Health, so I mainly have to work with his team. And the government is the next level. I just don’t face it.