Ghaziabad: RT-PCR testing facilities at the MMG District Hospital completed the first year on August 15 and so far, have done more than two lakh covid tests.
Immediately, the laboratory will begin tests for hepatitis B and C too.
This facility was approved by the state government in May last year and began testing RT-PCR from August 15, 2020.
Initially, 50-100 samples were tested every day, but the capacity increased to 900-1,000 samples per day later.
Surbhi Dixit, one of two non-medical scientists in the laboratory, said the RNA extractor machine will be arranged at the facility within one month and it will increase the daily test capacity of 50%.
“Equipment has been purchased by the government,” he said.
About 3,000 samples are collected every day of all districts for RT-PCR tests and more than half are sent to the Noida Laboratory for testing.
When the second wave of Covid hit, the Hospital Laboratory was overwhelmed by the number of samples that came every day and several reports were postponed because of the rush.
This facility also has a shortage of staff.
Dixit said at this time, 11 technicians worked in the laboratory and in addition, there were four assistants and two non-medical scientists (microbiologists) at the facility.
On August 15, the staff were detained by Dr.
Anurag Bhargava, Head of Medical Inspector, MMG Hospital.