Guwahati, Aug. 18: Gauhati Medical College and Hospital has ranked at the bottom of government facilities in the country in conducting etiological tests to diagnose sexually transmitted diseases, according to a report published by the National AIDS Control Organisation (Naco).
The sexually transmitted infections (STI)/reproductive tract infection (RTI) training, referral and research laboratory at GMCH along with the one at Maulana Azad Medical College, Delhi, have received only a single star in the assessment. There are 10 such NACO-supported laboratories in the country.
The Naco's annual 2016-17 report says all the regional laboratories have adequate infrastructure for conducting all etiological tests for sexually transmitted infections except GMCH and MAMC. The GMCH laboratory scored only 93 out of a total score of 255.
Sources in the GMCH, however, told The Telegraph that the lab is now fully equipped to conduct all tests according to Naco guidelines. "We did not have some instruments to carry out some tests. But we have now bought those instruments," a source said.
The assessment was conducted on all regional STI centres in the country on quality and programme parameters. All the centres were scored and graded on quality management system and programme implementation score.
The objective of the assessment was to measure the level of adherence to quality system essentials, to check whether the centres were complying with operational guidelines, document the performance of laboratory tests for etiological diagnosis of STI/RTI syndromes, reviewing mechanism of referrals and proper linkages, figure out the shortcomings and challenges, and to plan the improvement of the centres.
"STI and RTI are among the top 10 reasons for a person to visit healthcare facilities. STI/RTI is known to cause infertility, reproductive wastage and affect quality of life. Studies suggest that every year six per cent adults are infected with STI/RTI. Individuals with STI/RTI have significantly higher chances of acquiring and transmitting HIV infection. Early diagnosis, appropriate and complete treatment of STI/RTI reduces the transmission rate of HIV infection by more than 40 per cent," the report said.
At the other end of the scale, the Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital, both in Delhi, topped with a four-star rating and an overall score of 226.25 out of 255. The Government Medical College and Hospital at Bandra, Mumbai, received a three-star rating with an overall score of 209.
Osmania Medical College and General Hospital, Hyderabad, received a two-star rating with a score of 155. The Institute of Venereology at Madras Medical College also received a two-star rating with a score of 143. The Institute of Serology and Kolkata Medical College and Hospital received a two-star rating with a score of 175.
