Tuesday, 6 September 2011

Orissa Health secretary inaugurates Virology Lab, Tb Culture Facility in RMRC

Regional Medical Research Centre  (RMRC) a premier institute of ICMR, Dept. of Health Research, Govt. of India has established two new advance laboratories; i) Grade -I virology and ii) T.B culture and Drug Sensitivity Testing lab in its main building at Bhubaneswar. On the eve of centenary year celebration (1911-2011) of the Council (ICMR), the opening ceremony of these labs was held at RMRC Auditorium.
Mrs. Anu Garg, Commissioner cum Secretary Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of Orissa graced as chief guest and opened these labs. Speaking on the occasion She said this will support disease surveillance of emerging infections in the region and augment research in the medical colleges. The facility will supplement to the state infrastructure and it will facilitate manpower training and encourage research on viral diseases by the young scientists, Doctors and students of the 
region. Most viral diseases remain undetected in the region. This will help in identifying such 
causes and will also carter to the newly emerging viral infections in the region. She also 
congratulated Dr. V.M. Katoch for his vision and immense support to this region by creating the new facility. She encouraged experts from the Government and Private/public sector hospitals to strengthen the link and avail the facilities for providing service to the patients as well as support public health in the State .
Shri Sanjib Dutta, Financial Advisor, ICMR presided over the meeting. He mentioned that the council has the target of creating a network of Virology laboratories all over the country considering the deficit in technical expertise and lab infrastructure to face the challenges of endemic viral diseases as well as frequent outbreaks faced by the nation. He said that in the first phase in the process four grade I laboratories have been created in the country out of them RMRC, Bhubaneswar is one which will address to the region. 
Sri Arun Baroka, Senior DDG (Admn.) ICMR spoke on ICMR initiative in such labs in the country which is intended to create technical manpower on the area of viral diagnosis and research.
 Sri PK Dash, Director Medical Education and Training, Orissa mentioned that the state medical colleges and other hospitals have made networking with the RMRC lab facility and in the step of strengthening further collaboration. Dr. S.K. Kar, Director, RMRC, BBSR gave the welcome address and explained the purpose of such laboratories.
Several experts in the field of Medicine and Life Sciences & other invited dignitaries attended the ceremony. The importance of these facilities for the region were discussed during address by the guests and interactive  discussion by the experts.
The Lab. will provide diagnostic services on referred cases from the region both from rural & urban set ups covering primary level to tertiary health care centers & Medical Colleges. This will be complimentary to the State Health Infra structure in providing diagnostic services to patients and outbreak management strategy of the state.
The laboratory has facility of serological diagnosis for antigen and antibody detection, viral DNA/ RNA identification and viral load assay, genotyping and mutation detection and  culture & isolation of viruses. Many viral infections like Dengue subtype-II, Chikunguniya, Japanese encephalitis, HFMD, Hepatitis viruses, Rota virus, Influenza H1N1, Para influenza, Boca virus etc. has been identified by the Lab. That has added to the diagnostic service and information on viral diseases which were lacking in the past. The viral laboratory of the centre is working in close collaboration with the state IDSP Department, Medical Colleges hospitals and public sector hospitals and is in the process of strengthening the network to enhance these activities. Beside, diagnosis, it is also planning to undertake R & D activities like vaccine candidate antigens fro important viral disease.
The TB culture lab established is equipped with facilities for culture of the TB organism and drug sensitivity  testing. It will help in identifying drug resistance in Tuberculosis in the area. This will be complimentary to TB control Programme of the state. 

No comments:

Post a Comment