This is the 2nd part of our previous blog post regarding the failure of systems of governance during Covid-19 in India. Most of my readers opine that, I am anti Govt. but this is not true. I am not negative. Just I am trying to bring forward some unbelievable truth about the system and governance and how it impacts lives of millions of people in India.
Basically, all know that, all was well in India. India was trying to a reach 5 billion dollar economy. Also the Yoga Guru, IT Guru…and so many Gurus. But the Covid-19 pandemic has brought forward the naked truth from real ground and now this is the right time for self analysis by individual Indians, irrespective of caste, religion, and colour.
Why I am saying so ? Am I a pessimistic ? An optimistic ? or a Realistic individual, depends upon my readers..how they will take me from my analysis. Lets analyse the distressed health system supported by poor IT infrastructure and how it affected to public in India.
Part-1:- Failure of Covid-19 Portal in giving RT-PCR report live basis…thanks to the poor IT system
I think, in today’s context everybody is aware of the importance of RT-PCR test for Covid-19. It is an essential test required for treatment of Covid patients. Govt. has authorised some laboratories to conduct this test, which lists are available in Arogyasetu App. As per this Govt. of India web site for tracking and tracing of Covid-19 affected patients (https://www.aarogyasetu.gov.in/) , after the RT-PCR sample are collected from patients and analysed in ICMR approved laboratories, it is results are uploaded in ICMR portal, which is mandatory
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The step-1– sample are collected– it is fine. The 2nd step-collected sample analysed– it is partially true. The 3rd step- Lab uploads the test report to ICMR portal–it is completely false. The step-4- If test report is +ve, ICMR shares details with Arogyasetu–it is completely false. and further steps we will not discuss…as I feel it is of no value in today’s context, but having immense importance to make Indian public fool through fake news.
Why step-2 is partially true.. lets me discuss. In RT-PCR test, if the “Ct value” is important in calculating the viral load. It is assumed that less the “Ct value”, higher the viral load and vice versa. This assumption is also challenged by some clinicians. Even, it is also mentioned that, the “Ct value” depends upon the Kit used to collect the sample as well as the efficiency of the technicians how he collects the sample effectively. (Source- https://www.icmr.gov.in/pdf/covid/techdoc/Advisory_on_correlation_of_COVID_severity_with_Ct_values.pdf.
Similarly, transportation and temperature also plays an important role in deciding the “Ct value”. and many more things. So, over all, it can be concluded that, though “Ct value” is important to know the status of the viral load on the patients, in most cases, the report may not be perfect. As whatever, value can be written, no body can challenge the report legally. The main important thing is that, ICMR in this clarification does not feel confident to mention the benchmark standard “Ct value” for RT-PCR test for different testing kits and processes. Very good intelligent work done by ICMR. Hats off to our scientists for their research.
So, while, I have tried to analyse different RT-PCR reports, I found same peculiar things. Some reports mentioning “Ct value” standard bench mark value is 37 while some mentioning 38. Yes, as per ICMR, both are correct. If some test will say 20 or 40, it will also be correct as there is no standard value defined. That is the reason, some test labs not mentioning “Ct value” at all in their reports. It is better to do nothing instead of getting confused. Great work done buddy.
Case-1-
Forwarded from VD-MYGOVT:
RT-PCR sample collected for XXXXXXXX (Id:213621050522) SRF ID 2136201053279 on May 19 2021 9:01PM. Please save for future reference. You are advised to isolate yourself till the sample is tested and test report is available. https://covid19cc.nic.in/PDFService/Specimenfefform.aspx?formid=Z1dRaF3PZkRRg2eREX9lmw%3d%3d Your Sample has been sent to inDNA Life Sciences Pvt Ltd, Bhubaneswar
Case-2-
RT-PCR sample collected for XXXXXXXXX (Id:213621108506) SRF ID 2136201111399 on May 29 2021 4:23PM. Please save for future reference. You are advised to isolate yourself till the sample is tested and test report is available. https://covid19cc.nic.in/PDFService/Specimenfefform.aspx?formid=KgwdaMWplHwYxG%2bEDucCUQ%3d%3d Your Sample has been sent to PATHKIND Diagnostics Pvt. Ltd., Gurugram
Case-3- (1st Test)
RT-PCR sample collected for XXXXXXXX (Id:21367270118) SRF ID 2136700270962 on May 14 2021 11:41AM. Please save for future reference. You are advised to isolate yourself till the sample is tested and test report is available. https://covid19cc.nic.in/PDFService/Specimenfefform.aspx?formid=xu3SRQiG3QlFF1D%2fmYgCzA%3d%3d Your Sample has been sent to S.C.B. Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack
Case-4- (2nd time Test) of Case-3
RT-PCR sample collected for XXXXXXXX (Id:21367290508) SRF ID 2136700291360 on May 26 2021 11:45AM. Please save for future reference. You are advised to isolate yourself till the sample is tested and test report is available. https://covid19cc.nic.in/PDFService/Specimenfefform.aspx?formid=lDogMzsrZ9lgwxdi82ypvg%3d%3d Your Sample has been sent to Redcliffe Lifesciences Pvt.Ltd., Bhubaneswar
Case-5
RT-PCR sample collected for XXXXXXXXX (Id:21362949464) SRF ID 2136200952070 on May 3 2021 4:02PM. Please save for future reference. You are advised to isolate yourself till the sample is tested and test report is available. https://covid19cc.nic.in/PDFService/Specimenfefform.aspx?formid=MkWGlHbS%2faWhteIYO8D%2bUw%3d%3d Your Sample has been sent to Kalinga Institute of Medical Science(KIMS), Dept. of Microbiology, Bhubaneswar
Why the sample report are not 100% true, I am citing another reason. As per the Arogyasetu Mobile App dated 05-06-2021 (Under useful Resources Section—> See All FAQs–Laboratories with Covid-19 testing facilities—See ICMR Approved Labs—Govt. Labs and Private Labs under the link Your Status), the followings are ICMR approved Govt and Private laboratories with Covid-19 testing facility.
| ICMR Approved Govt. Laboratories with Covid-19 testing facility | ICMR Approved Pvt. Laboratories with Covid-19 testing facility |
| AIIMS, Bhubaneswar Institute of Life Science, Bhubaneswar RMRC, Bhubaneswar SCB MCH, Cuttack DHH, Nayagarh Indian Naval Hospital, Nivarini IISER, Berhampur MKCG MCH, Berhampur FMMCH, Balasore PRM MCH, Baripada VIMSAR, Burla, Sambalpur IGH, Rourkela BB MCH, Bolangir Old Dist. HQ Hospital, Jharsusguda Dist. HQ Hospital, Bargarh Tribal Field Unit, RMRC, Bhawanipatna, Kalahandi Tribal Field Unit, RMRC, Rayagada SLN MCH, Koraput Military Hospital, Gopalpur City Hospital, Berhampur, Ganjam NTPC Hospital, Talcher, Kaniha Ashalok Hospital, Talcher Thermal Divisional Railway Hospital, ECR, Sambalpur ICAR-International Centre for Foot & Mouth Disease Central Hospital, ECR, Mancheswar, Bhubaneswar Div Railway Hospital, Khurdha Road Capital Hospital, Bhubaneswar ..and 5 Centres in all Districts & All DHHs… Odisha Cuttack-04, 02, 05,03,01 Odisha Ganjam-02,01,04,05, 03…. like wise so on | Shree Hospital, Bhubaneswar Central Lab, AMRI Hospital, Bhubaneswar IMS & SUM Hospital, Bhubaneswar GenX Diagnostics, Bhubaneswar Dept. of Lab Services, Apollo Hospital, Bhubaneswar inDNA Life Science Pvt Ltd, Bhubaneswar L V Prasad Eye Institute, Bhubaneswar KIMS, Dept. of Microbiology, Bhubaneswar Occupational Health Centre, Dept of Lab Serv, Angul Christian Hospital, Bissamcuttack Shanti Memorial Hospital Pvt Ltd, Cuttack BP Laboratory (Bidyut Prava Healthcare), Cuttack Ashwini Hospial, Cuttack Molecular Lab, Vikash Multi speciality Hosp, Bargarh Zesun Jove Diagnostics LLP, Bhubaneswar RedCliffe Life Sciences Pvt Ltd, Bhubaneswar Hi-Tech Med Coll & Hospital, Bhubaneswar Hi-Tech Diagnostics Centre, Bamebari Hi-Tech Med Coll & Hospital, Rourkela |
The 1st thing is that, while collecting the samples from any suspected patients either +ve or -ve, and the sample is registered in Covid-19 portal, the patient used to get an auto system generated SMS in the given mobile number as mentioned in different cases above. By this SMS, the patient can get confirmation that his/her sample reaches at the concerned testing laboratories. The Case-3 & Case-4 are samples collected at Ranpur CHC under Nayagarh District. and the rest Case-1,2 & 5 are collected at Bhubaneswar. It is a matter of surprise that, the Case-3 & 4 , though as per the SMS received, the Case-3 sample was sent to SCB MCH, Cuttack on May 14th, which was lost some where as per the communication from Nayagarh District Covid centre. The next sample was collected after 12 days and again sent to Redcliffe Life Science Pvt Ltd, Bhubaneswar. In the 2nd day of 2nd Sample, the patient got a call from Nayagarh Dist Covid helpline Centre that she was tested +ve. But when the patient asked for the report, the helpline centre expressed their inability to provide the same as the same was not received by them. As they have received a consolidated report of all samples, not individual report. When the patient tried to get the report from the Covid dash board as declared in different media as well as also in SMS from Govt., that shows, “NO RECORDS FOUND against SRF ID”.
So, when the author enquired about some other Covid tested patients, came to know that, in general everybody has received their test reports in their whatsapp personally from the sample collected technician and no body has tried the Online facility. Alas ! This is the society. Even no body attempted to have a downloadable report from Govt. Covid dash board including myself also. Interesting ! and when I started collecting some SMS with SRF ID and tried to download the report from Covid dash board portal…found nothing downloadable as no SRF ID found.
This clearly indicates the Step-2 is not working and a failure one. I challenge anybody who has received SMS for collection of his/her RT-PCR test, can chk for their online report and see what reality is.
Besides, I am in doubt, while the Arogyasetu mentioned there are minimum 6 testing centres including the Dist. HQ Hospital in each district, what is the necessity of sending the samples to Cuttack and Bhubaneswar from Nayagarh District. Here, one can claim that, the testing centres were doing only Antigen Tests , not RT-PCR, then why it is not clearly mentioned in the Arogyasetu application leaving ambiguity for argument ?
Again, when an RT-PCR sample will be sent from a district to Bhubaneswar which is nearly 90 KMs away, definitely there will be some variations in the test results as the sample were carried and subject to different risks like Temperature, transportation facility etc as per ICMR Reports.
See the Case-2, where the sample is collected from Bhubaneswar, but surprisingly, the sample not tested in Odisha and sent to a laboratory in Gurugram. It is a matter of surprise that, how the sample is sent to Gurugram during this Lockdown period by which means and in 2nd day, the patient got result of Covid-ve. Amazing !
Step-3 of ICMR is completely Fake and False. As it is proved in all cases that, the testing laboratories does not upload the test results against sample SRF IDs at all.
Step-4 and Step-5…we will not discuss as it depends upon the Step-3 only. Then it is a question mark, the figures shown and updated regularly of Covid sample tested, Report Covid +ve …to what extent it is authenticated and validated ? All these seems a gimmick ! See the below proofs of SMS received after collection of RT-PCR Samples and the State Govt. awareness to download their test report which is also claimed to be false and biased.
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Link to Download RT-PCR Test Report:-
https://covid19regd.odisha.gov.in/SamplCollectionDetails.aspx
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India is a super power in IT, but we failed drastically to implement a robust IT System for public to get the test report downloadable. Why not sending the report automatically through SMS as like the test registration after sample collection so that most people those who do not have any android phones and internet connections can get their report easily accessible ? Do India lack manpower and IT engineers to develop the robust system ? Do India lack proper co-ordination to upload the test result online by the testing labs ? This need to be analysed to manage the pandemic in more efficient way.
Part-2:- Failure of Indian Pharma Industry in fulfilling demand-supply chain during pandemic
It is ironically to say this also, that, India drastically failed to sustain its supply chain and production to face this pandemic. Lets us take the minimum required medicines for any Covid +ve diagnosed patients. As per ICMR, a patient needs to take Doxycycline, Vit-C, Zinc, Ivermectin, Favipiravir or in severe infections and hospitalisation cases Remdesivir and other drugs as the case may be. It has been seen that, due to production and supply constraints of these drugs in this 2nd wave of this pandemic, where every alternate family member is diagnosed Covid +ve, Indian organised pharma industry failed to meet the exploded demand. This gap has been filled by some PCD companies basically called as Propaganda-Cum-Distributors. I am not commenting the PCDs, but doubting on the efficacy of their drugs and manufacturing practices. Still also, the demand is not fulfilled in India in this pandemic.
Lets come to the main point. Our healthcare system failed drastically in accommodating the Covid +ve diagnosed patients due to which Govt. has initiated tele consultation for patients and advised to stay home and most patients used to get benefitted from this tele consultation. In tele-consultation, doctors only advise over phone and does not give written advise or prescriptions. Alternatively, Govt. has made it mandatory for selling of Favipiravir like drugs and asking to submit xerox copy of prescription, Copy of RT-PCR positive report. Just think , when the RT-PCR test reports are not available online and are not supplied to patients outside of Bhubaneswar or major head quarters, if the patient is advised to take Favipiravir over tele consultation, then how the patient can be able to get this drug as restricted by the Govt. ? Who will give the answer to this question ?? Only the family members who failed to collect a dose of Favipiravir to save their near and dear ones life can say their worriness and struggle in this pandemic. No higher Govt. officer or policy maker can.
After facing all the fatalities and loosing near and dear ones in this pandemic, it can be conclude that, the no body can rely on the healthcare system in India. The policy makers seating on the top knowingly everything about the system and ground realities, blindly trying to fool people and play with millions of lives and sentiment of public. Also, some unscrupulous higher officials trying to catch the fish out of mud in this pandemic, who are not able to hear the outcry of poor uneducated patients suffering from Covid and struggling to get rid of this pandemic.
Yes, this is the “New India” proposed by our beloved PM- Modiji….and many more to see in coming future…Alas !
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