– Ramesh Giri
The Madhyapur Thimi Municipality has kept a medical lab, ambulance, isolation ward and quarantine facility in ready position to cope COVID-19.
A machine A machine for testing for COVID-19 has been brought and other preparations have been also made at the Nepal-Korea Friendship Hospital run by the municipality.
A polymerized chain reaction machine along with molecular lab and histolab would be brought into operation from Sunday. The polymerized chain reaction machine is used for checking samples for the presence of coronavirus infection. The molecular lab and histo lab have been set up in coordination with the municipality and the Interped Nepal.
Swab taken from suspected coronavirus patients can be tested in the lab. It is said the lab at the Friendship hospital could be used for testing for coronavirus in case the Shukraraj Tropical and Communicable Disease Control Hospital Teku is overwhelmed with high number of cases of lab test. It is said talks are being held regarding the allowing the Friendship Hospital to test for coronavirus.
President of the Hospital Management Committee and Mayor, Madan Sundar Shrestha said the lab established at the Hospital would be of help in testing for coronavirus and reducing the pressure at the Teku Hospital.
Four lab technicians will be mobilised at the lab. Among them, Interped will mobilize two and the Friendship Hospital two lab technicians.
Tests for various diseases like dengue, swineflu and cancer as well as tumours in different parts of the body can be conducted in the lab. It is believed that the establishment of the coronavirus testing lab within the country would save time and cost also as it takes more time and costs much to send the samples abroad for test and get results.
Similarly, the Municipality has established a six-bed isolation ward as well by constructing a separate block at the Friendship Hospital premises. It would be brought into operation within some days, Mayor Shrestha said.
Interped Nepal provided nine sets of PPE uniform to the hospital as well as related training to the doctors to be assigned in the isolation ward.
The Municipality has also kept the ambulance ready for transporting the coronavirus infected patients if needed. It had bought the ambulance recently with an investment of Rs 400 million.
Hospital’s medical director Dr DK Raushan said the hospital was well-prepared as to how to mobilise regarding handling emergency related to coronavirus. He said the hospital is also actively involved in the prevention of COVID-19 and spreading public awareness, in collaboration with the Municipality.