Health officials of the Tiruchi Corporation seized dengue rapid card test kits from diagnostic laboratories of three hospitals in the city.
The seizures were made during surprise inspections conducted by the officials led by Corporation Commissioner V.P.Thandapani at the Vasan Hospital at Puthur, Deepan Hospital and Gitanjali Hospital in the city. The move comes in the wake of reports of rising cases of dengue over the past week in the city.
According to the officials, the government has advised hospitals and laboratories not to conduct rapid card tests for the time being as only ELISA test could confirm dengue. However, some hospitals were found to be carrying out the rapid test, spreading panic.
Sources said that the hospital staff informed the officials that they have stopped conducting the rapid tests . Nevertheless, the officials seized the kits. The hospital authorities were also cautioned that closure notices would be issued if they continued to conduct the rapid test.
Dr.Senthil Kumar, City Health Officer (in-charge), and other health officers were present.
Mr.Thandapani told The Hindu that the rapid test was only an indicative one and there were three approved labs in the city conducting ELISA test, including the Mahatma Gandhi Government Hospital, the Public Health Department’s lab at the office of the Senior Entomologist, and Doctor’s Diagnostics, a private lab.
The Commissioner also affirmed that the Corporation was continuing its awareness measures against dengue, and mosquito breeding sources at households were being removed.