Staff Reporter
Peshawar
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is rapidly increasing its testing capability of corona virus and on Wednesday (April 22) a record number of 1126 tests were conducted doubling from just four days ago.
This was said by Provincial Minister for Health, Taimoor Khan Jhagra in a message issued here on Thursday. Health Minister said the total number of tests so far conducted in the province is 11,963. Khyber Medical University (KMU) alone conducted a record 809 tests as they are now able to do 24/7 testing in three shifts.
Giving a break up of 1126 figure, Health Minister said 809 were conducted by KMU, 79 by NIH, 131 by other KP public sector laboratories and 107 by private labs.
About percentage about cost of these 1126 tests, he said 91 percent paid by government and nine percent by public to private sector labs. Testing is also underway at Hayatabad Medical Complex (HMC) and hospitals in Swat and Abbotabad, Taimoor added. He said the actual capacity of testing in KP now stands at 1500 and will continue to increase with the passage of time.
The first coronavirus testing laboratory established at Saidu Sharif Teachings Hospital in Swat district has started function as suspected cases has surged in Malakand division. Dr Israrul Haq, Chief Executive Saidu Group of Hospital Swat told media persons that about 200 cases were received in the first three days of its opening. He said the laboratory has the facilities of conducting 60 tests per day.
Dr Israr said two experts doctors at laboratory were providing services to people of Malakand. Prior to it, the samples of suspected patients were sent to Khyber Medical University Peshawar or National Institute of Health Islamabad for confirmation of coronavirus or otherwise that take around five days to receive in Swat.
He said it would save time and money of people of Malakand division. KP Chief Minister Mahmood Khan has inaugurated the laboratory a few days ago keeping in view of difficulties of people of Malakand. A total of 2430 suspected cases of coronavirus have been reported from Malakand division. Out of these tests, 339 were reported positive besides 113 patients recovered and 25 had lost battle for life.
