Rajganj, 07th August: The Health Department has launched a dengue testing facility at Rajganj Rural Hospital, making it the first rural hospital in Jalpaiguri district to provide dengue testing services.
The facility was formally inaugurated on Friday in the presence of Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH) Dr. Asim Haldar, Deputy CMOH-II Dr. Rumi Mondal, Block Medical Officer of Health Dr. Rahul Ray, social worker Nitai Mondal, and other health officials and staff.
Earlier, patients had to travel to Jalpaiguri Government Medical College and Hospital, Mal Super Speciality Hospital or designated health centres in Jalpaiguri town for dengue testing. With the new facility, patients can now undergo dengue tests at Rajganj Rural Hospital.
CMOH Dr. Asim Haldar said the hospital already had an ELISA machine, but dengue testing could not begin due to the unavailability of the required Reagents. Following approval from the Health Department, the Reagents were supplied, allowing testing to commence from Friday.
He said the new facility will enable quicker test reports, helping doctors diagnose dengue earlier and begin treatment promptly, thereby reducing the risk of complications and deaths.
Dr. Haldar also said the Health Department plans to introduce leptospirosis testing at the hospital in the future, which will spare patients from Rajganj block from travelling to North Bengal Medical College and Hospital (NBMCH) for the test.