KATHMANDU, Sept 20: Chitwan Medical College has started giving the results of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests for COVID-19 within two hours. The hospital started this service today. However, the patients have to pay Rs 3,000 per test to get the report within two hours of the test.
The college laboratory started the PCR test service from August 19. And within a month, the tests of as many as 5,292 people have been conducted in the laboratory. A total of 953 people have tested positive for the virus so far. Of them, 556 are males whereas 397 are females.
According to Dr. Kishor Adhikari, the communication coordinator of the college, 18 percent of the total people whose COVID-19 tests were conducted, had positive results for the virus.
Heed the medical students
While 221 people have already recovered from the virus, 13 people have died at the hospital so far. At present, 97 people are undergoing treatment at the hospital. Of them, 45 are men and 52 are women.
According to Dr. Adhikari, 43 COVID-19 patients are undergoing treatment at the intensive care unit whereas three are being treated on ventilators. “Other patients are in normal condition,” he said.
Prof Dr. Harish Chandra Neupane, president and managing director of the college, said that the laboratory was set up at a cost of more than Rs 40 million. “CMC has been in the leading role for testing and treatment of COVID-19,” he said.
Neupane also said that the private sector can further contribute to disease control and treatment only if the government shows a positive attitude toward them.
Currently, the college has been providing PCR test service for Rs 2,000. Previously, it would take at least 24 hours to get the results. The college has also been looking after the samples that were delayed for testing at the Bharatpur Hospital laboratory. “It would be easier if health insurance is applied in PCR testing,” Neupane said.
Apart from CMC, the samples are being tested at Bharatpur Hospital and BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital in the district.
