Bokaro: A special device— Truenat machine was formally inaugurated at Sadar Hospital Bokaro for COVID-19 test.
Truenat is a battery-operated machine that can test two samples simultaneously and provide results between 55-60 minutes; the investigation will be done on two levels with full accuracy, Dr Ashok Kumar Pathak Civil Surgeon Bokaro.
These machines are used for testing tuberculosis. Recently, the ICMR approved the use of Trunet machines for COVID-19 testing. Truenat machines will reduce the dependence on RT-PCR tests and will help ease the load of testing centres, said Civil Surgeon.
“It will also, help the pregnant women as well as those needing emergency medical attention. Patients will receive emergency medical care after their samples were tested by this device for COVID-19 infection,” added Pathak
Now, a large number of migrants are returning and many of them from red zones, this device will help us in a lot but we need to ramp up our testing, he said adding “Presently, samples of only 20 patients can be examined through this instrument in a day.”
This machine will also help in protecting healthcare workers and patients from getting infected from coronavirus.
The test report of each patient will be provided by technical personnel after an interval of 55 minutes, informed Pathak. Keeping in mind the safety of doctors and health personnel during the investigation, a complete system of sanitization has been installed in the lab as well as on the sample collection counter. Personnel on duty have also been provided with all kinds of necessary kits, he said.
Three technical personnel have been engaged for testing of the samples under the supervision of a doctor.
After testing negative, the patients will be provided with the report immediately while in case of positive report of any patient, samples will again be sent to Ranchi or Dhanbad, the main lab for re-investigation and the main lab’s report will be considered as final, said Civil Surgeon.
Speaking on the occasion Sub-Divisional Officer Chas Shashi Prakash Singh said, COVID-19 test is free-of-cost at Sadar hospital now. “This facility has been started here at Sadar Hospital to prevent the spread of this virus and to provide emergency medical care to the patients of the district,” added SDO.
