Punjab Hospitals in Crisis: Desperate Battle for Hepatitis C Testing Kits Amidst Alarming Shortage
Punjab is currently facing a critical shortage of Hepatitis C testing kits, a situation acknowledged by the state health department, which has promised replenishment within a week. In the meantime, local districts have been instructed to procure kits independently to address immediate needs.
One of the hardest-hit facilities is Rajindra Hospital in Patiala, which has run out of testing kits, severely impacting its operations. Usually, the state conducts between 3,000 to 5,000 Hepatitis C tests daily. However, due to the current scarcity, testing has been suspended in several districts, with Patiala, Amritsar, and Bathinda experiencing the most significant shortages.
Hepatitis C, often called a ‘silent killer,’ is a viral infection that attacks the liver and can be transmitted through unsterilised needles, infected blood, from mother to child, and through sexual contact. Symptoms of the disease typically do not appear until it has reached an advanced stage, making timely testing crucial.
In response to the shortage, several district heads responsible for the Hepatitis C programme have urgently contacted state headquarters, seeking immediate resupply. Many patients are being diverted to private laboratories, where testing costs around ₹250.
“For the past week, we have been signalling the state nodal officer about the kit shortage. As of today, most health centres are out of supplies. This is clear negligence by the state health department,” said an anonymous Hepatitis C programme nodal officer.
The Government Medical College and Rajindra Hospital (GMC and RH) in Patiala, a significant tertiary healthcare facility, has also confirmed it is out of testing kits. Dr. Amrit Warring, the state programme officer for Hepatitis C, acknowledged the shortages but assured that new kits are currently in transit and should be available within a week. Meanwhile, districts have been directed to make emergency local purchases.
Original Story https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/punjab-hospitals-health-centres-grapple-with-hepatitis-c-testing-kits-shortage-101726511434317.html
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