New Virology Lab in Ranchi Set to Launch RT-PCR Testing Amid Rising COVID-19 Cases, ET HealthWorld

Ranchi: Amid rising Covid 19 cases in Jharkhand, a newly built virology centre at the sadar hospital, that is fully equipped for carrying out a wide range of tests, remains locked for nearly two years.

Built at a cost of Rs 2.5 crore, the centre, located on the first floor of a newly constructed multi-storey building within the premises of the hospital, was designed to detect viral infections such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Covid 19.

Now, hospital authorities claimed that the centre will be made operational within a week for conducting RT-PCR tests as the recruitment processes for one microbiologist and three additional support staff has been completed.

The construction was completed under the supervision of a private agency and is not yet handed over to hospital management, said sources.

Dr Bimlesh Singh, deputy medical superintendent, said, “While machines for testing have been installed, they are yet to be officially handed over, which is the reason for the delay. We expect to move towards initiating operations perhaps within two or three days, but there are administrative hurdles that need to be addressed first.”

Ranchi civil surgeon Dr Prabhat Kumar said, “Earlier, RT-PCR tests were conducted only in Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (Rims). The new RT-PCR facility here will help ease the load of Rims.