Mysuru: ‘Viral Diagnostic and Research Lab’ which is being set up in KR hospital is all set to be functional from April onwards and with this, all tests pertaining to H1N1, Dengue and Chikungunya would be conducted in Mysuru, reducing the dependence on labs located outside the district.
At present, the district health officials have been sending samples to NIMHANS Bengaluru to to determine whether a patient is suffering from H1N1 specifically. The reports could be received only in four to five day’s time, which used to pose impediments in deciding upon course of medication for the patients.
With the lab becoming functional in Mysuru, the reports can be availed in two days, helping the patients as well as the medicos in a big way. The lab will not only be helpful to Mysureans, but it will be of great use to neighboring districts including Chamarajanagar, Kodagu and Mandya.
The laboratory will help in diagnosis of common viral infections prevalent in the area and also to diagnose any viral disease out breaks including Dengue, H1N1 and Chikungunya.
The project has been funded by the Indian Council of Medical Research. The laboratory will be set up at the cost of Rs 5 crores and will have a new building for itself. The staff will be equipped to carry out serological and molecular diagnosis. The process of setting up the specialized laboratory with infrastructural modifications and procurement of required modern equipment is under process.
Speaking to Newskarnataka Dr B Krishnamurthy, Dean and Director of Mysuru Medical College Research and Institute said “The five year project was sanctioned in 2015 and the Council released Rs 1.3 cr in the first installment. The amount was utilised for civil works, equipment and man power for the project. The manpower includes nodal officer, contract basis two research officers and a research assistant, lab technicians and data entry operators. Almost all the works are in final stage and hopefully it will be functional from next month”.
