Hi-tech lab in Shimoga soon

Shimoga: While most hospitals and doctors in the state currently  depend on the National Institute of Virology (NIV),  Pune, or the Manipal Hospital for diagnosing diseases like HIV, jaundice and HINI, they will now be able to get all the relevant tests done at the  hi-tech medical diagnostic laboratory the government is establishing in Shimoga at a cost of Rs 1.10 crore. 

 

Equipped with German technology, the Virus Diagnostic Laboratory (VDL ) will use Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RTPSR) techniques to examine blood samples for the Kyasnur Forest Disease (KFD), H1N1, hepatitis-B, HIV, jaundice and other viral diseases. Working round- the- clock, it will be able to do blood tests for  HIV  within just 72 hours and also test for other diseases in a few hours  before sending the reports to the concerned hospitals. VDL also plans to offer online services. 

 

Most of the equipment being supplied by the Kaizen Company has already arrived in Shimoga to be installed in the new lab,  according to in-charge deputy director of the VDL,  Dr.Rajesh Surgihalli.  While the RTPSR machine is here, the safety cabin that separates RNA, DNA and viruses, has not yet been  received. Once it arrives, technical experts from Pune will visit Shimoga to inspect the facilities and issue a permit for the lab, expected to be ready for use by October end, to begin operations.