Nagpur: The Indira Gandhi Government Medical University (IGGMCH) viral research and diagnostic laboratory in Nagpur, the only facility to test suspects from most of Central India, faced Tuesday shortage of test kits. On Wednesday, timely intervention by state governments resolved the issue and now the laboratory works optimally.
The problem came to light when the laboratory did not publish findings from sixteen new suspects admitted on Tuesday and four samples pending since Monday. Minister of Health Rajesh Tope also admitted that there was a lack of contact.
Tope said there was some issue with IGGMCH test kits, which were sorted later. “These laboratories need to transmit their kits to the Center before 48 hours,” he said.
Currently, 51 laboratories performing Covid-19 tests in the country receive these kits in the NIV Pune on behalf of the ICMR. As per the protocol, they must inform the NIV 48 hours in advance of the test kits.
IGGMCH Dean Dr Ajay Keoliya acknowledged the deficiency but also stated to be resolved following secretariat intervention. “This was due to a certain misunderstanding, but the issue was easily resolved. Tests have not been affected by the deficiency. In the last two days, the number of samples has also decreased. Both examinations are done promptly and thoroughly, “the dean said.
Many offenders agreed that they had to wait long hours to get their results while others had their results in a short time in government hospitals. Some offenders had to be in the hospital isolation ward for over 30 hours and others had tests of 6 to 8 hours.
TOI addressed how the test is performed and why it is delayed in some cases, with leading microbiologists in Nagpur.
“Diagnostic kits are available in different capacities between 100 and 500. But this does not mean a kit of 100 samples will be checked by one hundred, “a senior Nagpur microbiologist said.
According to him, one sample has to be checked on different parameters in accordance with the protocol. Re-tests are often performed to reconfirm the findings. A kit with a capacity of 100 can test a maximum of 20 to 30 samples. Laboratory technicians typically wait until this number of samples arrives before tests begin.
“Reagents and other package components are expensive. For one or two samples, we can’t waste the whole package. So, these measurements are batch-specific. For instance, if we set a batch of 20 samples, as usual, we have to wait for twenty samples. Once the batch count is done, the tests begin, “the microbiologist said. As a result, some samples are analyzed within 6 hours, while others take up to 24 to 30 hours.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, the state administration announced the opening of more laboratories in Pune, Mumbai, Dhule, Solapur and Aurangabad in order to share the load of existing two-state laboratories. ICMR will supply these labs with 10 lakh kits. This will guarantee a timely outcome in the future.
