• One of Eight Labs selected for upgradation, New Equipment and HR will be given to AIIMS-R
• Lab will diagnose viral, bacterial, fungal and parasitic aetiology of various infectious syndromes

Raipur

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has selected Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (VRDL) in All India Institute of Medical Sciences to upgrade in Infectious Disease Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (IDRDL). This significant upgradation will further enhance the capabilities of the lab for diagnosing viral, bacterial, fungal and parasitic aetiology of various infectious syndromes. It will be very helpful in supporting the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) of the state in outbreak investigations of communicable diseases.

After upgradation, the lab will be the first such laboratory in Central India that will cater to the entire Central region of the country for diagnosing viral, bacterial, fungal and parasitic aetiology of various infectious syndromes under Microbiology Department. The lab has been selected as one of the eight VRDLs, chosen by ICMR-DHR, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for upgradation to IDRDL, amongst the network of 157 functional VRDLs nationwide.

Two senior ICMR experts Dr. Jayanthi Shastri, Chair Professor, CoE in Research and Training in Infectious Disease, MUHS, Regional Centre, Mumbai and Dr. Baijayantimala Mishra, Prof and Head, Department of Microbiology, AIIMS Bhubaneshwar, recently visited the department of Microbiology, to assess the existing facilities for upgradation to IDRDL and found it satisfactory.

Lt Gen Ashok Jindal, Executive Director congratulated the department and gave assurance that AIIMS will provide complete support in attaining the objectives of IDRDLs. Under this scheme the department will receive a budget for new equipment, laboratory consumables and human resource salary. This will be an asset for not only AIIMS Raipur, but also the entire state of CG and the neighboring states, he said.

Meeting was attended by PIs of IDRDL, Dr. Renu Rajguru, Medical Superintendent and the heads/ representative of various clinical departments namely Dermatology, ENT, Pediatrics, Pulmonary Medicine, Community and Family Medicine, Medicine, Microbiology, Surgery and Trauma & Emergency of AIIMS Raipur.

Dr. Anudita Bhargava, Professor & Head, Department of Microbiology and PI -VRDL will be the coordinating Nodal Officer for IDRDL; Prof. Padma Das will be the Principal Investigator for bacteriology laboratory of IDRDL and Prof. Archana Keche will be the PI for Mycology and Parasitology laboratories of IDRDL.