BARPETA, March 23 - The laboratory of Fakharuddin Ali Ahmed Medical College at Barpeta is expected to get accreditation by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) within a day or two. This was disclosed by State Health Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Talking to mediapersons during his visit this afternoon, Sarma informed that all the formalities for this purpose have been completed and permission is expected within a day or two. Dr Sarma claimed that once it receives the accreditation, tests for Covid-19 will be possible here.
Expressing apprehension that any kind of irresponsible act can facilitate the spread of the deadly virus in the State, Dr Sarma said that it will take only five minutes to take it to Stage 2, once a person is infected in lower Assam due to thick density of population.
Dr Sarma who was here to take stock of the facilities in the medical college and hospital in the wake of possible coronavirus attack, asserted that the doctors and other auxiliary staff of the college have assured him to dedicate themselves to the service of mankind in any situation. On his part, he requested them to keep themselves available in the hospital and not to leave the station until the situation in the country becomes normal.
The Health minister also informed that he has directed the hospital authorities to suspend auxiliary surgical procedures which can be delayed without any harm to the patient and requested patients not to visit the medical college until and unless it becomes necessary. He advised patients to visit the FRUs, PHCs and civil hospitals so that rush in the OPD can be minimised and doctors can attend to corona patients. He also fervently appealed to the people who have arrived in the State from outside to go for home quarantine for a minimum period of 14 days. At the same time he requested the people in general not to hide information regarding such persons and compel them to follow the precautionary protocol.
Accompanied by the Minister of State for Health Pijush Hazarika and secretary to the Health department Samir Sinha Sarma, Dr Sarma had discussions with the hospital authorities and assessed the requirements and facilities to treat coronavirus infected patients.
