Bintulu Hospital to acquire another PCR machine

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Tiong (right) inspects the equipment at the laboratory.

BINTULU: The Bintulu Hospital virus detection laboratory will be getting another n-PCR machine as a backup to the one that was installed recently and to cater for extra tests.

The laboratory was set up recently by the Bintulu Parliamentary Centre and funded through public donations to the Covid-19 Pandemic Relief Fund set up by the centre.

Bintulu MP Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing who was instrumental in setting up the fund to procure the PCR machines and other equipment inspected the lab yesterday.

He was happy that the facility is nearly completed and will be in full swing and ready to serve soon.

“However, based on advice by the hospital, we have decided that it would be prudent to equip the laboratory with an additional machine as a backup so that testing will not be affected,” he said in explaining why his service centre had to buy another PCR machine.

Tiong also instructed the contractors to upgrade the flooring to specifications set by the hospital to completely follow professional public healthcare standard operating procedures.

“Hospital-standard flooring is wear-resistant, anti-bacterial, non-slip and easy to clean.

“This provides greater convenience and safety for medical staff and helps with the long-term operation and maintenance of the facility,” he said.

Tiong added that two more instruments for laboratory testing will arrive here within the next two weeks expected to arrive in time for the facility’s opening despite some anticipated delay due to the Hari Raya holiday.

“Taking delivery of these instruments  and equipment is an important step forward for Bintulu’s medical care system. However, existing gaps still need to be filled by the Covid-19 Pandemic Relief Fund.

“Therefore, I urge the public to consider contributing to improving the medical system in Bintulu by supporting the fund.”

Tiong pointed out that the laboratory is not set up only for the testing of novel coronavirus as the equipment can  be used to detect over 40 types of viruses.