Corona results are not available even after a week has passed of sample testing in the PCR lab set up for the detection of the coronavirus at Dinajpur M Abdur Rahim Medical College. It has been reported that people who come to detect coronavirus are suffering.
RT PCR lab was set up on April 26 to test samples of coronavirus 57 days ago in the microbiology department of M Abdur Rahim Medical College. Despite the ability to test 188 samples per day at 94 samples per shift, the lab is collecting about five hundred samples per day.
People are often not getting results after a week has passed. The sample was delayed and in many cases the results were not available. Health officials are facing inconvenience because of the lack of timely sample test results.
“I gave the sample four days ago,” said Mahbub, a businessman from Munsipara, who came to take sample results at 9 pm last Saturday. “But I’ve not found results till today.” Not only Mahbub, but there are many like him who did not get results even by sampling five or six days ago.
Dinajpur Civil Surgeon Dr MD Abdus Quddus said 10579 samples have been sent to the PCR lab of M. Abdur Rahim Medical College till June 20. Of these, 9142 samples have been tested. Of which 958 people were positively identified in the sample. And at present, 1437 samples are stored.
According to PCR Lab sources at M Abdur Rahim Medical College in Dinajpur, the PCR lab has only one device. There are 10 Lab technicians.
The lab can test a maximum of 188 samples in two shifts. However, five hundred samples are sent to the test every day. After every day after testing, additional samples are kept in the fridge.
Assistant Professor in The Department of Microbiology of M Abdur Rahim Medical College and Director of PCR Lab Dr Jogendra Kumar said, “Usually after 72 hours, the corona sample is likely to be damaged.
There is no high quality refrigerator for storing samples in dinajpur PCR labs. So far, more than 1,000 samples have been sent to Dhaka for testing.”
Principal of Dinajpur M Abdur Rahim Medical College Dr Shibesh Sarkar said, “There was only one PCR lab. The lab examined samples collected from Dinajpur, Thakurgaon, Panchgarh and Nilfamari districts.
Also, the sample test is not very effective. There is no way to get out of this crisis without increasing the number of PCR labs and machines as soon as possible. The matter will be discussed with the senior authorities and action will be taken.”
It is noted that a total of 9142 samples were tested from four districts of the north (Dinajpur, Thakurgaon, Panchgarh and Nilfamari) till 20 June. Of these, 959 people have been positively identified as infected with coronavirus.
