Kits sought for chikungunya test ‘misplaced’

Manav Mander

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 23

The kits that were to arrive at the Civil Hospital for conducting chikungunya test have been misplaced.

Thanks to the mismanagement of the courier company that was to deliver the kits for conducting tests which were sent by the National Research Institute, Pune, and were scheduled to arrive yesterday at the Civil Hospital.

Now, the Health Department has asked the higher authorities to send the kits again.

“The kits got lost on the way due to the mismanagement of the courier company. We have asked the institute in Pune to send the kits again. At present, we will be sending the samples to Rajindra Hospital, Patiala,” District Epidemiologist Dr Ramesh said.

Civil Surgeon Dr Renu Chhatwal today held a meeting with the representatives of private hospitals and members of the Indian Medical Association (IMA).

The main agenda of the meeting was to prevent the spread of dengue and chikungunya.

Civil Surgeon Dr Renu instructed all members of the IMA and private hospitals to spread awareness regarding dengue and chikungunya. They were told to distribute awareness pamphlets to patients coming to their hospitals and clinics.

Dr Renu also asked private hospitals and clinics not to charge more than Rs 600 for Elisa test for confirming dengue. “Elisa test should be done to confirm dengue and nobody should charge more than Rs 600 for the test,” he said.

She said the test is done for free at the Civil Hospital. The district-level meeting of the monitoring committee to overview the arrangement regarding dengue and chikungunya was held here today. The meeting was presided over by Additional Deputy Commissioner (general), Rishipal Singh. During the meeting, officials from the Health Department, Water Supply and Sanitation Department and district administration were present. The departments concerned were instructed to start fogging and check the leakage of water in the city.