LUCKNOW, May 4 -- Hepatitis viral load testing at King George's Medical University (KGMU) has come to a complete halt over the past several days, patients have claimed, adding that treatment has been delayed as a result. The disruption has been attributed to a shortage of testing kits, reportedly due to the non-release of funds under the National Health Mission (NHM. As a result, diagnostic services have been suspended for the past four to five days, forcing patients to seek costly alternatives in private laboratories. However, with supplies exhausted, patients say they are now being turned away. Many are compelled to undergo tests in private facilities, where costs run into thousands of rupees. KGMU spokesperson, Prof KK Singh said that efforts are underway to restore services. "Testing is expected to resume within the next two to three days," he said. KGMU has the OPD footfall of over 8,000 patients per day, conducts around 40 to 50 hepatitis tests daily. Being a nodal centre, it also receives samples from neighbouring districts, taking the total daily testing load to 70 to 90 samples. These tests are usually provided free of cost under NHM support.htc...