Kapit Hospital all set to have own molecular lab for PCR sample analysis

KAPIT: The molecular laboratory set for Kapit Hospital should be in place within this week to facilitate the analysis of the PCR swab-test samples.

At the moment, all samples have to be sent to the facilities in Kuching, Sibu and Miri – and at times, even to Kuala Lumpur – and this causes delays in getting the results back here.

An event to mark the send-off of items and equipment meant for the molecular laboratory at Kapit Hospital was held in Kuching last Sunday, where Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas who is also the chairman of Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) officiated at the ceremony.

Accompanying him were Minister for Local Government and Housing Dato Sri Dr Sim

Kui Hian, and Sarawak Health Department director Dr Chin Zin Hing.

The divisional disaster management committee had, on Jan 18 via a Zoom virtual meeting, submitted to Uggah its request for immediate settingup of molecular laboratory in Kapit.

On Jan 19, this request was approved by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, with an allocation of RM 1 million.

Tasked with setting up the laboratory in Kapit Hospital was Forhill Sdn Bhd.

“Our team is working roundthe-clock to get Kapit Hospital ready for the placement of the molecular laboratory.

“This is one of Forhill’s CSR (corporate social responsibility) projects. Previously, we set up one laboratory at Sarawak Heart Centre in Kota Samarahan, and another at Miri Hospital,” said Forhill managing director Philip Ho when contacted recently.

According to Kapit Disaster Management Committee, some 6,000 PCR swab-test samples from Kapit and Song districts are currently in backlog, awaiting confirmation of results.

Kapit and Song districts used to be Green Zone areas throughout last year when zero positive case was reported.

However, in a little over a month, Kapit Division has recorded 325 positive Covid19 cases – placing it as among five divisions in Sarawak with the highest total number of confirmed cases.

Uggah (centre) joins Dr Sim on his right, Dr Chin (third right) and others in a group photo after performing the ceremony in Kuching to send off two containers of equipment slated for the setting up of a molecular laboratory at Kapit Hospital.