Vector tests at DMO hit by severe power cuts

BHOPAL: Testing of blood samples at district malaria office (DMO) to determine vector-borne diseases like malaria and dengue have been hit due to absence of power back-up facility at the office. According to DMO officials, the inverter that provides backup to dengue ELISA testing machines is not functional.
Pleading anonymity officials alleged that a request for new backup system is pending with the health department.
Last Wednesday, dengue tests at district malaria office were put on hold for nearly six hours due to power outage, said a DMO official.
According to experts power outage can affect efficacy of results. Tests can be invalid at the time of reading and depending on stage of the test at which power break down takes place. Simple time bond procedure and getting readings have to be accurate to ensure best test results. ELISA tests are dependent on antigen or antibody load detection, they said.
According to the official a few minutes power backup is available internally in the ELISA machine, but it cannot be sustained in case of long power outage often witnessed these days.
After the last dengue epidemic in the city in 2009, 22 microscopes were fitted with online invertors, enabling them to function non-stop for up to 24 hours. However, its batteries have run their life and are in need of replacement.