RT-PCR machine at SBMC out of order

The lone RT-PCR machine of Barishal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College has remained out of order for five days, suspending coronavirus test at the medical institution.

Consequently, Covid-19 samples collected have to be sent to Dhaka for tests, causing a delay for service seekers to receive the results, sources said.

"Generally it takes one day and now people have to wait up to seven days for the result," said SBMC RT- PCR Lab Head and Associate Professor of Virology Department Dr Md Akbar Kabir

He said the machine has been out of order since 94 samples were tested at the PCR lab on December 3.

He said the matter was reported to the higher authorities concerned in Dhaka and they sent experts to inspect the situation. On Saturday, the engineers concerned reached Barishal and took away the equipment, he said.

Dr Kabir said the thermal block of the PCR machine has not been working since December 3 and it needs to be replaced.

He said the machine is usually capable for 200 samples per 24 hours, but there were more than 300 ones per day. Over 45,000 tests have been conducted since April 9.

"We hope the machine would be active within the next four to five days," he said.

Dr Basudeb Kumar Das, director of Barishal Divisional Health Office, said after the RT-PCR machine went out of order, we have to be depend on Dhaka laboratories for Covid-19 tests.