Hyderabad: 13 private labs to enhance facilities for conducting Covid-19 tests
Telangana government decides to conduct 40,000 corona tests everyday
Hyderabad: The State health authorities had given notices to 13 private laboratories in Hyderabad guiding them to rectify data differences and other deficiencies related to infrastructure and availability of trained manpower, which were pointed out at the time of inspections held by senior officials.
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) gave permissions to 23 private diagnostic laboratories to conduct Covid-19 diagnostics. Many of these laboratories in the city had National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) certification which allowed ICMR to issue permission to take up Covid-19 tests.
"The positivity rate of Covid-19 tests in a particular private laboratory on Friday was around 70 per cent, which is not possible. Usually, the positivity rate for a typical government or private laboratory is around 20 per cent to 25 per cent. We suspect the test results could have been contaminated and that's why we held back those results, which will be studied in detail by an expert committee and released," Director of Public Health and Family Welfare, Dr. G Srinivas Rao said in a press meet.
Dr.Rao said several data inconsistencies and defects were found during the inspection of private laboratories.
"We have given sufficient time to these laboratories to rectify the defects. Already some have completed that process while some are in the process. We also want to make it clear if laboratories do not follow ICMR guidelines and do not correct discrepancies, then their recognition will be cancelled," he added.
He also said that all the ten government laboratories involved in conducting Covid-19 testing through RTPCR method are now functioning to their capabilities and Within few days, the number of tests in these ten laboratories will be increased to 6,500 per day.
"Four more government laboratories including Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences(RIMS), Adilabad, Government General Hospital in Nizamabad, Suryapet, and Area Hospital in Gadwal have now received permission to conduct Covid-19 testing through CBNAAT machines, which are also utilised for TB diagnosis," he added.