A new HPV PCR testing machine was installed at Eastern Regional Referral Hospital. The HPV PCR test is an in-vitro real-time PCR-based assay used for the qualitative detection of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) DNA.
The newly installed Rotor-Gene machine manufactured by the renowned molecular diagnostics company QIAGEN, is capable of detecting 15 different HPV genotypes, unlike the previous machine which could only provide positive or negative results.
With the installation of this advanced equipment, the hospital will be able to clear the backlog of cases and continue screening services for the early detection of cervical cancer, thereby strengthening services for the eastern districts. The machine was funded by the Ministry of Health under the Cervical Cancer Screening Flagship Program.
For public information, the current machine does not accept bloody samples. Therefore, sample collection is recommended 10โ15 days after the last menstrual period.
