PRINCE KUMAR
Ranchi, April 21: Amid the 4th wave scare the absence of pieces of equipment associated with the genome sequencing machine, which plays a critical role in making the equipment functional, the machine is lying idle on the premises of Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS).
It has been 22 days since the genome sequencing machine is lying idle which had reached the RIMS premises on March 29.
With the sudden hike in Covid-19 cases in different parts of the country, the genome sequencing machine can be a game-changer for both the state government as well as the people of the state where the health department of the state is still dependent on Kolkata and Bhubaneswar for getting the variants tested.
Sources at RIMS said that a fixed amount of money was allotted by the National Health Mission Jharkhand chapter for the purchase of accessories for the genome sequencing machine without which the machine will not be of any use.
“During the financial bid, the information came to the fore that the amount which was allocated for the purchase of accessories was not sufficient and a letter has been sent to NHM Jharkhand for approval of a certain amount of money for the accessories purchase to take place,” sources said.
Sources further added that though the letter has been sent 6 to 7 days back for the approval of money, there has been no reply from the other side.
When the lagatar24.com correspondent contacted Mission Director – National Health Mission, Jharkhand, Aditya Kumar Anand, he hanged up the call saying, “Please contact RIMS for any kind of information on genome sequencing machine.”
A health expert said that this genome sequencing will be a game-changer not only for coronavirus but for other diseases too. With the help of the machine detection of the strain of the virus will become possible because which mortality rate can be decreased.
“With the help of the genome sequencing machine, various studies over different diseases can also be performed which will increase the effectiveness of medicines and therapies. After studying genetics proper medications can be provided which will also control the side-effects associated with certain medicines,” the expert said.
“The sequencing process helps scientists understand changes in the genetic makeup of an organism or cell type, which gives pointers on how diseases are formed and on how to diagnose and treat them. The genome sequencer is used to look for variants, but it can do more than that. The sequencer can look at the genetic makeup of organisms, whether the entire organism, part of their genetic material or part of their RNA or DNA and how the nucleotides are laid out. The sequencer can discover new causes of infection. For example, if a new pathogen arrives, we’ll be able to tell by using next-generation sequencing. Sequencing allows for the analysis and comparison of hundreds or thousands of DNA strands at a time,” a health expert added.
