Initially keen, Chandigarh drags feet on RTPCR test training from PGI

CHANDIGARH: Despite the UT health department showing interest in being trained by PGI for setting up of an RTPCR laboratory, no such plan has been shared with PGI. There are only two facilties, PGI and GMCH 32, which have been consistently conducting the RTPCR test. “The Institute of Microbial Technology (IMTECH), which was roped in at the start of the pandemic, stopped testing Chandigarh’s samples due to problems in transportation of samples,” said an official of the UT health department.
PGI has trained many health care workers for setting up RTPCR laboratory in places as far as Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir. “We have time now and can spare time for training,” said Prof Mini P Singh of the department of virology, PGI. Sources said that the UT health department did not approach PGI after initial talks of training staff to start RTCPR. “We have even trained pathologists from remote reaches of Ladakh in a few days and now they are self-reliant in testing,” said Prof Singh.
Public health experts underline the need to enhance testing before a surge to prevent spread of the disease and manage transmission despite variants. “It has been seen that in states where testing has been aggressive, there has been regulation of transmission of the virus.
UT health department had roped in three private laboratories for RTCPR testing and had fixed the rates on the pattern of Haryana. “This was done when there was a load of samples and only PGI and GMCH were catering to demand. Government Multispeciality hospital 16 is a district hospital which does not have this facility. However, in Haryana all district hospitals are equipped with the tests,” said Prof Singh.