Bathinda AIIMS fails to start testing for want of equipment, lab technicians

We are also facing problem in hiring the personnel trained to conduct tests on the suspected coronavirus patients. DK SINGH , Bathinda AIIMS director

BATHINDA:THE All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bathinda, has expressed inability to start Covid-19 testing even as it had announced to roll out the service within 10 days more than a month ago.

Director DK Singh on Friday said the institute is unable to source different instruments and expert manpower to conduct rapid antibody polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests.

“We want to start testing at the earliest but non-availability of required testing equipment has hindered the plan. Also, we are facing problem in hiring the personnel trained to conduct tests on the suspected coronavirus patients,” said Singh.

After assuming office as the first director of the institute, Singh had said on July 6 that coronavirus testing will commence within 10 days.

According to him, the institute had secured all necessary approvals from the central government to work as a Covid-19 facility.

As per the plan, AIIMS will start with an initial capacity of 180 tests a day, and it will be increased to 500 a day.

“I think it will take another 15 days to set up a fully functional testing facility. Also, a 30-bed Covid care facility will become functional at the hospital,” said the director.

Official said it is not known if the local Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) MP and Union food processing industries minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal or Bathinda MLA and Punjab finance minister Manpreet Singh Badal have intervened in the redressal of the AIIMS crisis.

“Bathinda and adjoining districts in the south Malwa belt will benefit if AIIMS begins testing and a Covid patient care facility is set up at the earliest. But it is surprising that a central institute is unable to procure equipment. Also, it is not confirmed if the Punjab government has pushed the case to make AIIMS ready for Covid testing,” said an official.

“In the last two weeks, Bathinda has seen more than 700 coronavirus cases, taking the total figure to 1,192 and 19 deaths.

As a sizeable number of patients are the migrant workers, the management of Guru Gobind Singh Oil Refinery at Rama Mandi has roped a private laboratory to test the labourers hired by contractors. The district authorities have scaled up testing,” said a senior health department official.