Coronavirus testing capacity triples at Indus Hospital

National Institute of Virology, KU provide assistance for screening, diagnosis

KARACHI: The capacity of the Indus Hospital to conduct diagnostic tests for COVID-19 has increased three-fold as the National Institute of Virology and the University of Karachi (KU) joined hands with the healthcare facility for the purpose, stated medical experts during a meeting on virology on Saturday.

In this regard, four real-time polymerase chain reactions machines - used for conducting the tests - as well as virology experts from the National Institute of Virology's Dr Panjwani Centre for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research have been deployed at the hospital, while further assistance has been provided by the International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS) at KU, said ICCBS head Dr Iqbal Choudhary.

As a result, the hospital's testing capacity has increased from 800 tests to 2,400 tests daily, he said.

He explained that the initiative was aimed at sharing the healthcare burden, which was increasing with Sindh's coronavirus tally climbing by the day.

Currently, the major challenge was limited diagnostic capability, he said, adding that according to the World Health Organisation, timely diagnosis could help curb the spread of the virus to a great extent.

Lauding the Indus Hospital's efforts in this regard, Choudhary said that it was currently the epicentre of all coronavirus-related activities in Sindh. He added that the province was "worst hit by the outbreak," with 65 per cent of the country's confirmed cases having been reported here.

He also highlighted the need to take all possible precautions against COVID-19, saying, "Precaution is the only weapon to fight the growing threat of COVID-19."

Speaking along similar lines, National Institute of Virology senior research officer Dr Muhammad Rashid appealed to citizens to avoid public gatherings or visiting grocery stores, shops and shopping malls unnecessarily, adding that they should not let children leave the house unless necessary.

Similarly, another medical expert, Dr Ammar Athar, asked citizens to maintain hygiene and wash their hands frequently and thoroughly with soap or an alcohol-based sanitiser.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 22^nd, 2020.