No More Test Delays by Padam Raj Bhatta

Photo: Padam Raj Bhatta/ photo.circle

In early June, a 55-year-old woman died while undergoing kidney dialysis at the Seri Zonal Hospital. When she was admitted to the hospital, she was given the rapid diagnostic test (RDT), where she tested negative for the COVID-19 virus. Hospital did not have a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test facility. All samples were going to Dhangadi, about four hours away, and the Dhangadi facility was getting swamped with requests. When the hospital administered a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test post mortem, her samples tested positive for coronavirus. ⁣⁣

Photo: Padam Raj Bhatta/ photo.circle

⁣⁣PCR tests results take a few hours, and with the facility in Dhangadi being swamped with samples, there have been long delays. “People have lost their lives due to delay in receiving the PCR report,” says Sudip Jairu, a local from Dadeldhura. One facility in Dhangadi is handling PCR tests from districts such as Achham, Bajhang, Bajura, Baitadi, and Doti.⁣⁣
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After the woman’s death, Dadeldhura locals understood that there was an urgent need for more COVID-19 testing facilities. They got together with Humanity Foundation, Nepal and Far Western Society, USA, organizations working in the region, to raise funds for a new PCR testing machine in Dadeldhura. Within three weeks, the foundation raised the money, set up the facility and are now testing samples every day. “Our hope is that people won’t have to lose their lives because of lack of equipment,” says Jairu. The new facility can test 384 people in one day. ⁣⁣
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Text and Photos: Padam Bhatta @padambhatta255
Copy Edit: Nisha Rai @nishastoryteller
Edit: Mallika Aryal @mikaness
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