Pune: Khanapur villagers allege private lab of issuing false reports

Pune: Khanapur villagers allege private lab of issuing false reports

Pune: A man residing in Kirkatwadi in Khanapur village near Khadakwasla dam tested positive for COVID-19. Immediately, his wife and one and half-year-old son were also tested for coronavirus infection. Their swab samples were collected by a private lab and sent for processing. What happened next baffled everyone. Mother had tested negative while the child was tested positive for COVID-19. "We were in a state of shock when we learnt that our child is COVID-19 positive," said the man and his wife.

Soon, the news of the child getting infected spread like a fire in the region. Child's family was worried and the mother was disheartened to know that the child will be taken away from her for days during the treatment. However, the child did not show any symptoms for COVID-19.

Khanapur village head (Sarpanch) Nilesh Javalkar was doubtful of the report as many from his village who had sent their samples to that particular private lab, were receiving positive reports for the COVID-19 test. Javalkar reached out to Haveli police station in-charge Inspector Ashok Shelke and told him about his suspicion of the labs functioning. Shelke advised Javalkar to contact and discuss the issue with Khanapur's Public Health Center (PHC) Medical Officer Dr Ashwini Patil Taluka Health Officer Dr Sachin Kharat and Haveli Block Development Officer Prashant Shirke. On their advice, it was decided that the father, mother and child would be tested for COVID-19 again at the government facility. This second test was conducted immediately on the next day.

Surprisingly, the government lab test report of the child came negative. Javalkar said, "All the swab samples collected from Khanapur village are sent to the Thyrocare lab in Mumbai for tests. If the patient goes to the lab then he is charged Rs 2,300 and if the sample is collected at home then he is charged Rs 2,800 for the service. People are in financial trouble and still pay this hefty amount for tests, but if the labs are giving false reports then the administration should take action against them."

Dr Kharat and Mr Shirke said, "Citizens should trust the government testing facility which is free of cost and accurate too. If anyone is showing symptoms, then he or she should immediately approach the PHC. We have discussed the Khanapur village incident with Sub-Divisional Officer and Incident Commander Sachin Baravkar. We will take appropriate action in this case."

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