Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) has received the machine for Polymerase Chain Reaction testing, widely known as PCR, here on Thursday evening that will be used for identification of the COVID-19 coronavirus, reports BSS.
Fazle Hossain Badsha, MP, who is the chairman of RMCH’s governing body, told local journalists that testing for coronavirus would be possible when the Public Works Department to complete the installation of the machine hardly within a week.
“We will be very much benefited as coronavirus testing kits would be made available to the tertiary level hospital,” said Badsha, adding that the PCR machines were provided to six other medical college hospitals across the country simultaneously.
Badsha mentioned that the RMCH will be able to test COVID-19 with samples of throat swabs and blood and provide results within a day through using the machine.
He said the hospital is currently witnessing a rush of patients, but the hospital could not so far test them due to lack of testing facility.
In addition to the PCR machine, the hospital received a fresh supply of 1000 Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs), 1000 masks, 1000 hand-gloves and enough sanitisers for the doctors, nurses and other paramedics, he added.
Meanwhile, effective step has been taken to strengthen the Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) aimed at combating the coronavirus (COVID- 19) outbreak in the region.
The RMCH’s 30 Number Ward, which is at present accommodating Intensive Care Unit (ICU), High Dependency Unit (HDU), Burn and Plastic Surgery and Neurosurgery, is being prepared for treatment of the infected patients.
RMCH Director Brigadier General Jamilur Rahman said that around 200 patients can be given treatment in the ward simultaneously.
He said there are some additional advantages like 16 ICU and eight HDU beds in the ward which will be very much helpful to cope with any emergency situation.