30 April 2020, Jumla
The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) machine has been lying idle at the Karnali Academy of Health Sciences to testing for coronavirus in Jumla.
According to KAHS’ Teaching Hospital director Mangal Rawal, the machine has not been used due to the lack of required kit.
Rawal further added that the Academy is not in a position to use the PCR machine until they have the associated kit. “We have demanded kits with the government. We have the information that the kits would be made available by next Friday. The PCR tests will begin once the kits arrive,” he said.
He further said that the PCR tests cannot be conducted in the absence of reagent and the kit, which they do not have with them at present.
The Hospital has demanded some 500 kits with the government. Dr Rawal said 96 swab samples can be tested at one time using the PCR machine.
