17 April 2020
Threesna Sharfina
MEDAN – HUMAS USU: The Governor of North Sumatra, Edy Rahmayadi, visited and inaugurated the use of two Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) units for swab testing of ODP and PDP Covid-19 patients at the USU Hospital Laboratory on Friday (April 17, 2020) afternoon. PCR operations commenced after USU Hospital received reagents, the raw materials for swab sample testing, provided by Litbangkes Jakarta and from orders placed by USU Hospital on Wednesday (April 15, 2020).
Litbangkes provided support for 300 patient swab tests, while USU Hospital, which ordered tests for 1,000 patients, has only received enough for 33 patients. The latest information reveals that USU Hospital will receive 1,000 reagents for testing 500 patients from the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) today. Thus, USU Hospital is currently the only hospital in North Sumatra capable of conducting swab tests, with results available within four hours and free of charge.
During the trial phase yesterday, USU Hospital conducted swab tests on 40 individuals, with negative results for COVID-19. This morning, the hospital received 40 samples from various referral hospitals across North Sumatra, appointed by the Provincial Government. These samples will be processed for examination following the Governor’s visit. “Until now, we have used rapid tests, conducted twice, to determine whether a patient was exposed to the Coronavirus. But now, swab testing using PCR technology is available. This is the first in North Sumatra, and it is officially launched today. With this method, we can quickly determine whether someone is infected with COVID-19 before the incubation period ends,” said Governor Edy.
During the visit, the Governor was accompanied by the Rector of Universitas Sumatera Utara, Prof. Dr. Runtung Sitepu, S.H., M.Hum.; Speaker of the North Sumatra House of Representatives, Baskami Ginting; Dr. Rasmita Ginting from the Environmental Health Technical Center of Litbangkes; Chairman of the USU Board of Trustees, Drs. Panusunan Pasaribu, M.M.; USU Vice-Rector II, Prof. Dr. dr. Muhammad Fidel Ganis Siregar, M.Ked (OG), Sp.OG(K); University Secretary, Prof. Dr. dr. Farhat, M.Ked (ORL-HNS), Sp.THT-KL(K); Head of the North Sumatra Health Office, Alwi Mujahit; Director of USU Hospital, Dr. dr. Syah Mirsya Warli, Sp. U(K); and Head of the USU Hospital Laboratory, Dr. Dewi Indah Sari Siregar, M.Ked (ClinPath), Sp.PK.
The rector of USU, Prof. Dr. Runtung Sitepu, firmly stated that COVID-19 swab testing at USU Hospital is free of charge. He warned referral hospitals not to impose illegal fees on patients for this test.
“We must emphasize that swab testing at USU Hospital is free. Referral hospitals must not exploit this and charge patients. We will take legal action against hospitals that violate this rule,” he asserted. Prof. Runtung added that USU Hospital will continue to increase its testing capacity. He hopes the laboratory can test up to 120 samples. “We hope more reagents will be sent to USU Hospital. We currently have two PCR machines ready. Soon, two more can be added. Therefore, we can test up to 120 samples daily if each PCR machine can test 30 samples,” he said.
Currently, USU Hospital has prepared five isolation rooms for confirmed positive patients. The Governor hopes that 250 rooms will be available exclusively for patients and not repurposed. He also promised to provide two additional PCR machines to USU Hospital in the coming days, as well as hazmat suits and other necessary protective equipment for the medical team at USU Hospital. (Humas)
