Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Medical Council of India (MCI) has notified the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) as the mentor institution for RT-PCR (Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) test
An important role would be played by the the Bengaluru-based NIMHANS in terms of providing reference terms, detailed guidance on the requirement of infrastructure for RT-PCR laboratory and suggested a list of good quality consumables to all labs. The move comes after the Union government increased the testing capacity for corona virus throughout the private medical colleges in the country.
The Karnataka department of health and family welfare initiated immediate action to set up RT-PCR labs across all autonomous medical colleges coming under its umbrella. In order to widen the reach of testing, the department also included the two ESIC medical colleges functioning at Bengaluru and Kalaburagi in north Karnataka district.
Jawaid Akhtar, principal secretary, Karnataka health and family welfare said, “We have now facilities at the Karnataka University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru; Department of Microbiology, University of Agricultural Sciences at Dharwad; Veterinary College, Hebbal, Bengaluru; Vijayanagar Institute of Medical Sciences, Hubballi; Karnataka Institute of DNA Research Dharwad; Hassan Institute of Medical Sciences, Hassan; and Institute of Biotechnology, Dharwad. The state has also mandated the use of Specimen Reference Form which can be submitted only using the RTPCR app,”
