Daijiworld Media Network-Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Mar 2: Deputy commissioner R Vishal, on Wednesday March 2, inaugurated the Genexpert device donated by Rotary Club at district hospital Ajjarkad, Udupi.
Speaking on the occasion, DC Vishal said, “Just two months back, state government has proposed about using genexpert machine in the hospitals. The maintenance cost of this device is about Rs 2.5 lac every year.”
“We are planning to add its maintenance cost under programme implementation plan made by NHIRC. When the design is well, the output also will be good. The district hospital has been renovated at the cost of Rs 4.95 lacs from the KHDRC. The work will be completed by April this year. Swachh Bharat concept is nothing but making good designs. Quality tiles, proper sewage system, electricity and roof have been changed in the hospital.”
“Nearly 45 new labourers have been appointed for work and crushing machines and additional trucks have been purchased.”
The district administrative authority has received Rs 75 lacs from district challenge fund, he informed.
Approximately 24 lac new active TB cases have been reported in India every year. Nearly 1000 persons die every day due to improper disease management and delay in providing proper diagnosis and treatment. This is a direct result of current MBT testing method, requiring weeks to deliver a definitive result, which can lead to patients being left untreated or placed on an ineffective treatment.
The district TB control officer states that they are compelled to send samples to Bijapur (which is located 500 kms away from Udupi for testing and waits for 10 to 15 days for receiving test results). According to district TB control officer, the situation in Udupi District is still worse as there are equal number of cases remain unreported.
The Genexpert testing device developed by ‘Cephied’ can diagnose even multi drug resistant TB. The device has been approved by World Health Organisation. It takes about two hours to diagnose the sickness.
Rotary club of Udupi-Manipal has donated Genexpert testing device with four testing sites along with an air conditioner, an uninterrupted power supply (UPS) and a fridge to Govt. Hospital Udupi at a cost of Rs 24.26 lacs. Funding of the project is arranged under Global Grant of the Rotary Foundation.
Mahendra, district surgeon, DRFC Rtrn Sadanand Chatra, Rtrn Rahiman S A, Rtrn Aruna Shenoy, secretary, Gowri, Dr Rajani and others were present.