Suhail Bhat
Srinagar, July 23: As the medical and para-medical staff at the Valley’s premier hospital, Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences Soura, work tirelessly to process the samples of suspected COVID-19 on time, the lack of requisite computer staff delayed the process.
The staff associated with the COVID 19 testing at the hospital told Excelsior that they have requested the authorities for additional computer operators so that the tests reach people on time. The doctors told Excelsior that despite conducting around 2000 tests by working tirelessly overnight, the process is getting delayed due to lack of sufficient computer staff.
They said preparing tests, which usually require one-two hours, takes the whole day, thereby delaying results by at least a day. “We conduct the tests at night and all the results are available by 10 am, but the operators take an almost whole day to prepare the reports. Why cannot hospital administration provide us with additional computer operators so that reports are available on time” a doctor asked, adding that people are facing problems due to official apathy.
To make things worse, the hospital administration has roped in the research students for the job of computer operators who are not as quick as the regular operators.
People who are undergoing quarantine alleged that they are not getting reports on time as the average time to get the report is three-four days. This is particularly tough for some returnees who are isolated at hotels, as it increases the financial burden on them.
Syed Waseem whose sample was taken in Srinagar said that his test report was ready in the evening as his friend who is working in the lab told him. “But after getting confirmation from his friend, it took 48 hours for official confirmation. I had to spend two extra days at the hotel quarantine due to the delay”, he said.
Sample of a pregnant lady was taken on 13th July and she was supposed to receive the results in two days. However, she received the results after one week on her delivery date after the Gynaecologist helped her to get the results.
When contacted, Superintendent SKIMS, Farooq Jan told Excelsior that they have the requirement of staff at other places as well. “We have to take care of other areas as well,” he said, adding that they have always provided adequate support to the COVID lab and would continue to do so.
Asked about the delay in the results, he said: “It takes a maximum of one hour for the process. There is no delay,” he said.
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