NIH bans laboratories from conducting typhoid tests

The National Institute of Health Islamabad has banned laboratories across the country from conducting uncertified tests for typhoid fever, reported 24NewsHD TV channel. 

Widal and Typhidot tests would not be conducted to diagnose typhoid fever, the NIH said on Thursday.

Outbreaks of typhoid fever are being reported from different parts of the country, especially in flood-prone areas and some laboratories and hospitals in flood-hit areas are still conducting these tests, according to the National Institute of Health,

“Blood culture is the only validated test to confirm typhoid fever and that should be done.”

The Sindh Healthcare Commission also banned laboratories and hospitals across the province from conducting Widal and Typhidot tests.

The letter from the Sindh Healthcare Commission issued a warning that a strict action will be taken against uncertified laboratories and hospitals.

Moreover, Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority and other institutions also banned Widal and Typhidot tests.

Medical experts said that Widal and Typhidot result in misdiagnosis of typhoid fever. People suffering from viral fever and malaria are often misdiagnosed and are prescribed antibiotics, which is s wrong treatment.

Reporter: Kifayat Ali Shah