Under the title “Basque Government, why not do mass tests?” Three dozen professors and lecturers from different areas of the UPV/EHU (full list at the end of the article) have been announced. The promoters of the initiative have launched a collection of signatures.

The statement states that the COVID-19 pandemic has hit the world hard, both in the health, economic and social fields. The signatories recall that the World Health Organization (WHO) has considered it essential to identify infected citizens in order to cope with the crisis and that PCR tests are the most suitable for rapid serological tests.

This is a type of PCR test developed by a team of scientists from the UPV/EHU in collaboration with several science institutes. The statement highlights the importance of the contribution: “This contribution would allow the Basque health system to increase the number of diagnostic tests, according to WHO recommendations. This test, developed by Basque researchers, has been evaluated very quickly by the Carlos III Health Institute, which has a specificity of 100% and a sensitivity of 92%”. And he very critically values the attitude of the Basque Government: “The response of the Basque Government’s Department of Health has been to take away importance and disparage, and to try to silence information on the subject in the media.”

Need for explanations

The teaching staff of the UPV/EHU considers that the attitude of the Basque Government puts health at “risk” and asks for explanations: “We urge the Basque Government to give public explanations on the criteria that are being applied in the Pandemic Monitoring Plan, reasoning that mass tests will not be carried out, taking advantage of this innovative contribution that it has at its disposal and other CAPV research centres.” At the same time, the signatories are against institutional harassment: “We want to denounce this scientific contribution or any attempt to silence or censor its promoters by the institutional authorities.”

List of signatories:

1. Koldo Callado, professor in the Faculty of Medicine and Nursing.

2nd Blanca Gallo, professor at the Faculty of Science and Technology.

3. Iñaki Lasagabaster, professor and professor at the Faculty of Economics and Business.

4. Carmen González Murua, professor at the Faculty of Science and Technology and former vice-rector.

5. Joseba Agirreazkuenaga, Professor of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Communication, Research Award 2019 of the Basque Government.

6. Itziar San Martín Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Nursing.

7. Pello Salaburu, former Rector of UPV/EHU.

8. Look at Onaindia, professor at the Faculty of Science and Technology.

9. Iñaki Antiquity, professor at the Faculty of Science and Technology.

10. Jule Goikoetxea, Professor, School of Social and Communication Sciences.

11. Ramón Zallo, former professor of the School of Social and Communication Sciences.

12. Pili Aristizabal, Professor, School of Education and Sport.

13. Joxerramon Bengoetxea, professor at the School of Law.

14. Esteban Antxustegi, professor at the School of Law.

15. Estitxu Garai, professor at the School of Social and Communication Sciences.

16. Joxerra Aihartza, Professor at the Faculty of Science and Technology.

17. Olatz Arrangi, professor at the Faculty of Informatics.

18. Efrén Areskurrinaga, Professor, School of Economics and Business.

19. Mila Amurrio, professor at the School of Social and Communication Sciences.

20. Igor Ahedo, professor at the School of Social and Communication Sciences.

21. Gema Lasarte, Professor, School of Education and Sport.

22. Patxi Azpilwaukee, Professor, School of Social and Communication Sciences.

23. Leire Urigan, researcher at the Faculty of Medicine and Nursing

24. Angel Bidaurrazaga, Professor in the Faculty of Medicine and Nursing.

25. Ibone Ametzaga, Olatz Arrangi, professor at the Faculty of Informatics.

26. Mikel Erkoreka, professor at the School of Communication and Social Sciences.

27. Carmen Hernández Gómez, Professor at the Faculty of Informatics.

28. Aritz Ipiña Bidaurrazaga, Professor in the Faculty of Medicine and Nursing.

29. Karmele López de Ipiña, Gipuzkoa Engineering School

30. David Hoyos, professor at the School of Economics and Business.

31. Marimar Lledó, Professor at the Faculty of Labor Relations and Social Work.

32. EKAITZ Zulueta, Professor at the School of Engineering of Vitoria-Gasteiz.

33. Ixone Fernández de Labastida, Professor at the Faculty of Labor Relations and Social Work.

34. Inazio Garin, Professor, Faculty of Science and Technology.

35. Eneko Garmendia, professor at the School of Economics and Business.

36. Gorka Bueno, Professor at the Bilbao School of Engineering.