Mumbai: The state’s second and largest infectious disease research laboratory will soon be set up in Sindhudurg district, said health minister Deepak Sawant. The laboratory will take-off some burden from the National Institute of Virology in Pune, which currently hosts the only infectious disease research laboratory in the state.
The laboratory will have four departments such as microbiology, bacteriological department, blood sample study department and molecular division. The lab will work on 13 types of diseases and will maintain a detailed record with data. Dr Sawant, who visited the spot and held meeting with the district’s forest and health officials, said that the laboratory will consist of various pathology departments. Dr Sawant said, “The lab would have authentic and recent technology.”
The minister has ordered officials to complete the generator facility and the pending work that will enable uninterrupted power supply to the lab. Since it will have a very low temperature for storage facilities and preservation, it would require continuous power supply.
Dr Satish Pawar, the director of Directorate of Health Services said, “After the monkey fever broke out, most of the cases were reported from Sindhudurg and to prevent this disease we need proper analysis of lab testing. Now that we have taken a step, things would be under control.”
Sindhudurg, despite known for the breeding ground for Kyasanur Forest Disease or monkey fever that claimed eleven lives so far this year, has no proper lab testing facilities.
