By Ling Hui
KUCHING, Feb 28: Sarawak is now able to run 9,000 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests per day with maximum capacity, as compared to less than 500 tests just one year ago.
State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) advisor Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian said this achievement is thanks to Ministry of Health (KKM) that scaled up five mobile molecular labs in Sarawak and another two by the state government.
“This time last year, only SGH (Sarawak General Hospital) and Unimas (Universiti Malaysia Sarawak) in Kuching can do PCR tests for Covid-19 with less than 500 tests per day.
“One year later with all these additional lab facilities, PCR tests will be available in KKM facilities in Kuching, Sibu, Kapit, Bintulu, Miri and Limbang with more than 6,500 tests per day, excluding the point-of-care testing available in places like Sarikei.
“Now, together with Unimas and private medical facilities in Kuching doing PCR tests, if we run 24-hour shifts, we should be able to have 9,000 tests per day in Sarawak,” he said in his Facebook post today.
Dr Sim, who is also Minister of Local Government and Housing, said the effort by both federal and state governments surfaced after the first container-styled molecular lab in Sarawak Heart Centre.
The mobile laboratory is rated Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) where researchers can handle classified Level 3 pathogen organisms in the best secured conditions.
“Thanks to the donors, KKM and Sarawak government that worked together in this united war against Covid-19 for making all these testing facilities available.
“While building up capacity, it is more important to cut the local community transmission and to get vaccinated,” he said. — DayakDaily
