Uttar Pradesh: TrueNat machines to test COVID-19 in 75 districts

The Uttar Pradesh Government is to make the TrueNat Machines available in all 75 districts to test COVID-19. The ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) had approved the machines to conduct COVID-19 tests earlier.

Highlights

• The UP Government is to make the machines available in all of its districts for speedy testing of COVID-19 cases. 
• The state has set a target of 15,000 tests per day. 
• The target is to be achieved by the middle of June, 2020. 
• The aim is to increase the target to 20,000 by June end.
• The TrueNat machines will provide results in an hour or two. 
• Hence, the machines will help in faster diagnosis.

Other measures

• Along with increasing COVID-19 testing, the Uttar Pradesh Government will also ensure 10 lakh jobs in six months. 
• During this phase of employment generation, the migrant workers are to be provided greater importance.
• The State Government is also finding ways to strengthen emergency services in the hospitals.
• The Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh has directed the marketing committee to develop mandis to export hubs. 
• This will help the perishable goods to be exported without time delays.

TrueNat Machines

• The TrueNat machines can run up to 32 to 48 samples. 
• Also, they are capable of running samples for multiple diseases such as HIV, TB, COVID-19, etc.
• India has around 800 TrueNat machines. 
• A four-way machine can run up to 32 to 48 samples of multiple diseases. 
• A two-way machine can run up to 16-24 samples. 
• The cost of a TrueNat machine is between Rs 1000 and Rs 1500.