The J&K government has given a cold shoulder to the health departments proposal of procuring 1 lakh rapid polymerase chain reaction (rapid-PCR) kits to carry extensive sample collection in the identified red zones of Kashmir to detect prevalence of coronavirus.
A communication for procurement of the kits was sent onApril 9 by the office of the controller of stores (Health) to the J&KMedical Supplies Corporation.
However, so far there has been no response from theCorporation to the demand. “In view of the pandemic of n-Covid 19 thegovernment has declared various villages/ areas as red zones in Kashmir. Thehealth department is intending to depute medical teams for sample collection todetect the coronavirus cases in the identified/ declared red zones,” reads thecommunication, a copy of which is with Greater Kashmir.
“In this context”, the communication reads, “I am directedto approach your good self to request you to kindly provide 1 lakh RT- PCR kitsto the directorate of health service Kashmir on priority basis for thepurpose.”
Director Health Services, Kashmir, Dr Sameer Matoo said thegovernment entirely can decide on procuring the kits.
“Yes, we have put forward our suggestion and it is for themto take a call,” he said.
The states like Kerala and Maharashtra with 10 governmentlabs each, and Tamil Nadu with 13 government labs have started conducting testsusing Rapid PCR kits. Some states have allowed private laboratories to operateas testing centers.
In J&K, the tests are carried out at labs set-up at SKIMSChest Disease hospital. “Even if we get these kits, does the health departmenthave the requisite machinery and manpower to use them,” asked a senior doctor.
He said the testing in J&K was designed to find geneticmaterial from the virus by testing a person’s nose and throat samples, whichindicate the infection, but takes days, depending on the facilities andtechnicians available.
The rapid tests can bring this time frame down to 20 minutesto two hours. “Rapid tests check for protective antibodies in a finger prick ofblood. It could indicate exposure to infection,” said another doctor.
“The rapid-PCR testing kits take nose or throat swabs. Whilethe normal PCR kits take 6-7 hours for testing,” he said.