Phende hospital listed as COVID 19 collection center on ICMR portal.

Dharamshala: Hunsur Phende Hospital in Karnataka became the first Tibetan Hospital to get approval from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Delhi for the COVID-19 Swab Collection Center on 6 July 2020. This swab collection center at quarantine facility for the Tibetan returnees will have a direct impact to curb the spread of disease amidst the surge of COVID cases.

The sample collection center was made possible with the support from the Emergency Health Task Force led by its chairman cum settlement officer, Mr. Thupten Tsering in availing the authorization from ICMR, New Delhi through the approval from District Health Center, Government of Karnataka State.

The first batch of 25 samples were collected on 7 July in collaboration and under the supervision of district COVID hospital at the Tibetan sample collection center.

Dr. Venkatesh, District Health Officer, Dr. Ravi, District TB officer, Dr. Shiva Prasad, District Surveillance officer, Mysore, and Dr. Rajesh, Hosurgate Primary Health Center made their contribution in making the collection center possible at the Hunsur Ragyaling settlement.

As of now sample collection for other quarantine centers at Southern zone; such as Bylakuppee, Kollegal and Mundgod settlement are being conducted by the respective district COVID hospital. However attempts are being made to setup on-spot sample collection at quarantine center. While in Dharamsala, the center for spot collection at Tibetan Reception Center will be operational from tomorrow with the technical assistance from doctors and nurses of Delek Hospital.

-Filed by Department of Health