Far-Western government establishes new laboratory in Dhangadhi after four months

Dhangadhi: A PCR machine has been installed in Dhangadhi four months after the Far- Western Government decided to set up a Coronavirus testing laboratory.

The cabinet meeting held on March 28 had decided to set up Coronavirus testing laboratories in Doti and Baitadi including Dhangadhi. After four months, a laboratory has been set up in Dhangadhi, the temporary capital of the state.

The laboratory was inaugurated by Chief Minister Trilochan Bhatta today. Chief Minister Bhatta inaugurated the laboratory set up at the Health Office, Kailali under the Seti Provincial Hospital.

Speaking at the inauguration function, Chief Minister Bhatt said that more than 1,200 samples could be tested daily and said testing would start soon. Coronavirus is being tested through two PCR machines in Dhangadhi and Dadeldhura while the state government is implementing the decision and setting up a laboratory after four months.

The PCR machine connected to the Livestock Research Laboratory in Dhangadhi was sent by the federal government while a machine was procured by Dadeldhura Hospital through a public campaign.

The state government is preparing for the Coronavirus testing through a new laboratory set up in the health office building. The laboratory has the capacity to test more than one thousand two hundred daily.

However, laboratory in-charge Ramesh Shahi said that examination of a thousand tests is not possible as there are only 10 people working at the lab. "Swab tests can be done daily through both the laboratories only if the required manpower is managed properly," said Shahi. The state government has stated that work is underway to set up laboratories in Doti and Baitadi.