Mumbai: ELISA Machine Defunct For 3 Months At Kandivali BMC Hospital Amid Monsoon Disease Surge

The ELISA machine at Bharat Ratna Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Hospital in Kandivali, Mumbai, has been non-functional for over three months, affecting confirmatory testing for dengue, leptospirosis, Hepatitis B and C.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) only considers ELISA or RT-PCR as confirmatory tests, so cases diagnosed via rapid tests are not officially recorded as confirmed, potentially underreporting disease cases.

A new ELISA machine donated by Union Minister Piyush Goyal three months ago remained unused until now; it has been installed and is expected to be operational by Saturday.

Hospital sources allege that some patients are referred to private labs for ELISA testing, costing Rs 2,500–4,000 per test, and that manpower shortages have worsened the situation.

Medical Superintendent Dr Ajay Gupta confirmed the breakdown but said patient treatment has not been compromised, as treatment starts immediately on positive rapid tests.