JUMLA: The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) machine at the Karnali Academy of Health Sciences to testing for coronavirus has been lying idle.
The machine has not been used due to the lack of required kit, according to KAHS’ Teaching Hospital director Mangal Rawal.
According to him, the Academy cannot use the PCR machine until they have the associated kit.
Rawal said they have demanded kits with the government. “We have been told that the kits would be made available by next Friday,” he said adding that the PCR tests will begin once the kits arrive.
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.
According to Rawal, 96 swab samples can be tested at one time using the PCR machine.
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