BIRN Reveals Lab Fast-Tracking COVID-19 Tests for Cash

BIRN's TV show on Wednesday revealed corrupt practices at the laboratory of the Kosovo National Institute of Public Health, NIPHK, which resulted in the arrest of a lab technician who offered to speed up COVID-19 tests for money.

After cooperation between BIRN and the Department of Economic Crimes, the latter arrested the lab technician at the NIPHK, who besides not respecting testing procedures took bribes to expedite the results of PCR tests of COVID-19.

Footage of an unknown individual offering money to the technician to accelerate the test results was shown on the Drejtesia ne Kosove show followed by BIRN Kosovo journalist Adelina Ahmeti taking the test at the NIPHK without prior medical documents and without respecting proper procedures.

On entering the laboratory, Ahmeti asked for the technician, Betim, by name. He then promised a test result within 24 hours. Payment was to take place the next day when the COVID-19 result wass obtained.

NIPHK forestalled the broadcast by issuing a statement on Facebook on Wednesday, denying that the arrested person was a staff member but only a "temporary administrative support" worker within a "World Bank project" aimed at supporting Kosovo's health system.