Longleng: Half of testing kits nearing expiration date

According to a source from Longleng District Hospital, the Covid-19 swab testing kits were received on April 10

Our Reporter
Dimapur, April 26 (EMN): Longleng District Hospital has alleged that out of the 40 Covid-19 swab testing kits it has received, 20 were just a few days away from its expiration date.

A healthcare worker from the hospital informed Eastern Mirror that 20 out of the 40 swab kits had an expiry date for April 2020, which ends on Thursday.

The 20 kits were received on April 10; while the rest were also said to have been received in the same month, the date could not be confirmed.

“At this crucial time, nobody should be careless. They might have done it by mistake, since it is not just for one district but it is for the entire state. So from my point, I can somehow understand the mistake. But at the same time, when it comes to health and life, how can someone be this careless? The people in general are relying on the Medical (Health) department, and distributing expired swab test kits is something very unprofessional,” the healthcare worker stated.

“Moreover, the district hospital does not have an anaesthetist while Dimapur has two, Kohima has two or three and the other districts have one each. In the entire state, there are 15 anaesthetists except for Longleng district,” the healthcare worker informed.

“If one anaesthetist is deployed for the district during the pandemic, it could be a relief for the district,” the worker added.