30 hi-tech labs opened to tackle epidemics

The Department of Health Research (DHR) has launched a network of 30 state-of-the-art laboratories at regional and state levels for managing epidemics during natural calamities.
As many as 6 state-level labs, 5 regional and 19 in different medical colleges conforming to Biosafety Level (BSL)-3, required for early detection of highly infectious viruses, have been set up.
This will strengthen the infrastructure and capacity for handling viral diseases in terms of early and timely diagnosis, continuous monitoring and surveillance of existing as well as new viral strains.
"Currently national apex institutes like National Centre for Disease Control, New Delhi and National Institute of Virology, Pune are mandated to undertake the investigations that result in heavy burden affecting their real referral role.

"As the country continues to have outbreak of epidemics due to various infectious pathogens, the resultant delay in diagnosis and adequate data about these outbreaks significantly impact the response time for intervention," a senior DHR official told PTI.
Government has also approved funding of another 21 such laboratories to be established under the three-tier system at regional and state levels and in medical colleges.

Apart from being BSL-3, these labs are equipped to carry out different molecular tests like serology, RT-PCR, isolation, fluorescence microscopy, tissue culture and sequencing for all enlisted viruses.
These laboratories are also involved in basic as well as applied research on viruses, development of kits and diagnostic reagents.

"It was proposed to create state-of-the-art facilities in regional labs so that these could achieve the objectives in research, continuous monitoring and surveillance of existing as well as new viral and other strains and handling of viruses with a potential of being used as agents of bioterrorism, capacity building, diagnosis, development of diagnostic kits etc," the official said.
The target under the scheme launched in 2011-12 is to set up 10 regional labs, 30 state-level facilities and 120 in over 150 medical colleges in a phased manner under 12th plan period.