Sushila Tiwari Hospital in Haldwani has shifted dengue ELISA testing to its central laboratory after the microbiology lab ran out of testing kits. The move could mean patients are charged for a test that was previously available free of cost.

The hospital administration discussed the shortage with Medical College officials, the microbiology lab in-charge and other administrators after a report highlighted that dengue testing had stopped at the lab.

Testing moved to central laboratory

Doctors said dengue patients whose card tests were positive were being referred for ELISA confirmation, but reports were not being received because the microbiology lab lacked kits. The microbiology department informed officials that kits were available at the hospital’s central laboratory.

The central laboratory is operated by the private company POCT. Its dengue ELISA test costs about ₹690, according to information from the facility. Comparable testing at private pathology centres in the market costs between ₹950 and ₹1000.

The central laboratory currently has 300 dengue ELISA kits. However, patients referred there may have to pay because the facility is privately operated, unlike the testing arrangement previously available through the hospital’s microbiology lab.

Patients awaiting confirmation

3 dengue patients remain admitted in the medicine department at Sushila Tiwari Hospital. 4 children are also admitted to the paediatrics department and require ELISA testing.

The hospital’s outpatient department is receiving 8 to 10 suspected dengue patients each day. Some patients are also returning positive results on card tests, increasing the need for confirmatory ELISA testing.

The microbiology lab in-charge said a requisition for new kits had been sent to the Pune laboratory 14 days before the existing supply was expected to run out. Hospital administrators questioned why senior officials were not informed when the shortage became a concern.

Medical College Haldwani principal Prof. Ajay Arya said the department had been asked to arrange kits quickly. He said the supply was expected within 2 to 4 days.

Sushila Tiwari Hospital medical superintendent Prof. Arun Joshi said all departments, including microbiology, had been instructed to immediately report shortages of essential equipment to senior officials. He added that the hospital would try to provide testing at concessional rates or free of cost for patients arriving during the interim period.

Conclusion

Dengue ELISA testing is temporarily being handled by Sushila Tiwari Hospital’s central laboratory, where the test costs about ₹690, while officials seek fresh kits and attempt to protect patients from additional charges.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Why was dengue ELISA testing shifted from the microbiology lab?

The microbiology lab ran out of dengue ELISA testing kits, stopping the testing service there.

Q. Where can patients currently undergo the test?

Patients can undergo dengue ELISA testing at Sushila Tiwari Hospital’s central laboratory.

Q. How much does the test cost at the central laboratory?

The dengue ELISA test costs about ₹690 at the central laboratory.

Q. How many kits are available at the central laboratory?

The central laboratory has 300 dengue ELISA kits.

Q. When are new kits expected at the microbiology lab?

Hospital officials said new kits are expected to become available within 2 to 4 days.

Q. How many dengue-related patients are currently admitted?

3 patients are admitted to the medicine department and 4 children are admitted to the paediatrics department for ELISA testing.