COVID: Shortage of testing kits, a major concern in rural pockets

 

 

SHORTAGE of testing kits has reportedly become a major concern in rural pockets, where corona is spreading rapidly. Pace of medical check-up is comparatively low due to shortage of testing kits. Medical check-up centres have been established at Community Health Centre, Kunda, Mohgaon, Chheerpani, Pandatarai and Kukdur villages. At the same time, check posts have also been made at Mahaka, Kapadah, Kukdur and Odadabri for medical check-up of people coming from other districts. But again lack of Rapid Antigen Test kit is an obstacle in adequate medical check-up. Only 300 to 400 medical check-ups are being conducted in past three days in block.

 

Only cases of pregnant women and emergency cases are being taken-up for medical check-up. As per the information, check-up kits are sent from the district to Community Health Centre for medical check-up. It is already 11 am to 12 noon when kits are supplied to CHC and then allotted for check posts. Only after this, medical check-up starts at check-posts. However, less check-up kits are being provided now and only 200 kits were provided on Friday while on Saturday, kits supplied were even less.

 

On the other hand, situation in Fever Clinic is also not good. After reaching clinic at 10.30 am, people have to wait for hours for medical check-up and once again reason is shortage of kit. Even some times, those in last gets deprived of check-up. Block Medical Officer Dr B L Raj admitted that Rapid Antigen kits are not being supplied in enough quantity past few days and medical check-up is being done on priority according to availability of kits.