Rajasthan: 6 medical colleges to get research labs

Jaipur: The state government has decided to set up a state-of-the-art viral diagnostic and research laboratory (VDRL) in six medical colleges of the state, with viral diseases including swine flu on the upswing in the state.

The state’s need for laboratories specializing in viral research comes in the face of viral outbreaks, including swine flue- becoming common.

Over the past few years, viral outbreaks including swine flu have become common. The risk of virus mutations re-emerging in new strains, also keeps the health authorities on the alert.

The state government will set up viral research and diagnostic labs in six government medical colleges. These include: Jhalawar, Udaipur, Jaipur, Bikaner, Jodhpur and Kota. The Health Minister, Kalicharan Saraf, revealed this in the state assembly in the recent budget session.

The viral diagnostic and research labs will help in immediate detection of disease, which will help in timely treatment being imparted to students.

At present swab samples are sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV), by the health department for more detailed testing.

Last time, when swabs were sent, the health department wanted to find out if swine flu virus has any mutation. Now the health department is taking measures to develop facilities in the state, by setting up viral research and diagnostic labs, in medical colleges, reports the TOI.