A blood cell counter machine was installed at K.R. Hospital here on Wednesday to handle the increase in the number of blood investigations owing to rising number of suspected dengue cases.
The number of such machines at the hospital has gone up to three. The laboratory was earlier investigating about 200 samples. With the rise in fever cases, it started getting over 1,000 samples. The tests are done for free while private labs charge about ₹100-150.
An NGO came forward to lend a machine to handle the rush. It was handed over to the lab in the presence of former Minister Suresh Kumar, who had requested Minister for Medical Education Sharan Prakash Patil to sanction a cell counter machine to overcome the rush of patients for blood investigations.
Mysore Medical College and Research Institute (MMCRI) Dean and Director B. Krishnamurthy told The Hindu that the Minister had directed them to purchase a cell counter machine and accordingly tenders would be invited to procure the same. Until then, the machine given by the NGO will be used.