Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, June 4: The RNA-extractor which was brought in to speed up testing and reduce the manpower is lying defunct for around a month at Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Soura in Srinagar.
The officials at the Institute told Excelsior that a huge amount of money was spent to procure the equipment keeping in view the workload and deficiency of trained workforce. However, the authorities have failed to put it to use. “We fail to understand the reasons behind it. Since the machine was bought, we have been hearing that it would be made functional. But around a month has passed and the machine is yet to be functional,” an official said.
Officials associated with the testing told Excelsior that the machine would have doubled the rate of testing and halved the workforce. “There are different stages of testing and it normally takes four hours for testing a few samples. The RNA extractors will save almost half of our time,” an official said.
As the testing prolongs, doctors and technicians involved in the process have to work for extended shifts in the lab to complete the day’s work. For example, the team that works on the second shift or night shift has to work non- stop for 16-hours to get all the tests done. “Sixteen hours shift is too long. We get exhausted and are unable to give our best. After all, we too are human beings and need breaks. The authorities must look into it,” a doctor said.
Medical Superintendent SKIMS, Dr Farooq Jan, told Excelsior that the machine is faulty and matter has been taken up with the company. “We have asked the company either to replace or repair the machine. The machine will be functional within one week,” he said.
Asked about the extended shifts, Dr Jan said that he would take up the matter with the concerned Head of the Department. “I will raise the issue with the concerned official and try to resolve it,” he said.
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