Latest news with #NucleicAcidAmplificationTesting
The Print
12 hours ago
- Health
- The Print
Puducherry's shift to 100 pc rapid molecular test improves TB diagnosis
One untreated TB individual can infect a minimum of 10-15 persons per year. If these patients had gone undetected, they would have transmitted the disease in the community, Dr C Venkatesh, State TB Officer of Puducherry, said. Puducherry, Jul 4 (PTI) A complete shift from traditional microscopy testing to rapid molecular testing over the past five years has enabled early detection of tuberculosis cases, improving the diagnosis of microbiologically confirmed TB cases by around 30 per cent in Puducherry, officials said. In 2018, only 13 per cent of patients could undergo molecular/NAAT test as an initial diagnostic test. However, with the concerted efforts of the Puducherry State TB Cell, 100 per cent of TB suspects are now being tested using Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing (NAAT), Dr Venkatesh said. This means patients are now receiving quicker and more accurate tests and signifies the precious treatment time that is saved by the health department in saving lives, he said. Under the Presumptive TB Examination Rate (PTEBR) framework, Puducherry has aggressively implemented programmatic reforms aimed at early detection, efficient diagnostics, community engagement, and nutritional support. 'A key pillar has been the shift to 100 per cent upfront NAAT for all presumptive TB cases, thanks to the 100 days campaign- Nikshay Shivir initiative where this could be more widely advocated for and helped sustained in practice within the UT, respectively,' Dr Venkatesh said. This has led to a 30 per cent increase in microbiologically confirmed TB cases and faster treatment initiation, especially in drug-resistant cases, he said. Complementing this is the performance of the Intermediate Reference Laboratory (IRL) at the Government Chest Hospital, which ranked first nationally in 2024. It processes over 1.2 lakh samples annually and caters to both Puducherry and seven districts of Tamil Nadu compounding to around two crore population, District Magistrate, Puducherry A Kulothungan said. As a result, the UT saw testing rates increase from 2,233/lakh in 2015 to 5,268/lakh in first quarter of 2025, a 136 per cent improvement. 'TB incidence has dropped by 59 per cent since 2015, earning Puducherry a silver medal in India's Sub-National TB Certification in 2022,' Kulothungan said. The shift to NAAT testing has improved two aspects– firstly in microscopy testing heavy bacterial load (10000 bacteria per ml) in a given sample is needed, whereas in the genetic molecular testing (NAAT test) even less than thousand bacteria in a given sample can be detected, explained Dr S Govindarajan, Mission Director of National Health Mission (NHM), Puducherry. Secondly, through the microscopic testing we can confirm the presence of TB bacteria alone, Dr Govindarajan explained. In the NAAT test, apart from diagnosis of TB bacteria simultaneously the resistance pattern of the key TB drug— Rifampicin–can be detected, he stated. Puducherry was recognised by the Union Minister of Health for its sustained efforts during the 100-day campaign which ended on March 17. During the 100-day campaign, over 3.8 lakh vulnerable individuals were screened using door-to-door Active Case Finding( ACF) and AI-based hand held X-ray devices, Dr Govindarajan said. Modern tools like AI-enabled chest X-rays and NAAT are deployed at scale, supporting even distant places such as Mahe, Yanam and Karaikal. In 2025, eight villages were declared TB-Free – Sivaranthagam, Ariyur(N), Vathanur, Soriyankuppam, Kudiyiruppalaya, Pooranankuppam, Sembipalayam and Korkadu, Dr Venkatesh added. PTI PLB DV DV This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
New Indian Express
30-05-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
‘LNJP becomes first Delhi government hospital with medical genetics department'
NEW DELHI: LNJP Hospital has become the first Delhi government hospital to establish a medical genetics department, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced on Thursday as she inaugurated the facility. Besides the genetics ward, Gupta also inaugurated a Lactation Management Unit and Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing (NAT) lab at the state-run hospital. Gupta said the government is consistently working to enhance Delhi's healthcare system. 'Our goal is to ensure accessible, high-quality, and timely medical services for every citizen -- regardless of age, background, or region. A healthy Delhi is the foundation of a developed Delhi. With this vision, three highly advanced health services have been launched, setting a new milestone in the city's medical infrastructure,' she said. Gupta said it is the first Delhi government hospital to establish a medical genetics department. It is the fourth such department among NMC-recognised colleges across India and the second to be linked with a Centre of Excellence for Rare Genetic Disorders, she added.
The Hindu
29-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
City's first medical genetics dept. set up in LNJP Hospital; CM inaugurates unit
Delhi's first Medical Genetics department and the fourth such unit in the country has been set up in the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan (LNJP) Hospital. While inaugurating the department on Thursday, CM Rekha Gupta said, 'There are lakhs of parents scrambling to save their children who are born with genetic disorders. They do not know where to go. This department will treat those children who are born with such disorders.' Ms. Gupta also inaugurated a Lactation Management Unit (LMU), and Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing (NAT) Lab in the hospital. Regarding the Lactation Management Unit (LMU), she said that the unit is designed to serve preterm, low-birth-weight, and critically ill new-borns. It will offer breastfeeding counselling, safe milk collection and storage, and hospital-grade breast pumps for mothers. 'Our goal is to ensure accessible, high-quality, and timely medical services for every citizen—regardless of age, background, or region. A healthy Delhi is the foundation of a developed Delhi. With this vision, three highly advanced health services have been launched, setting a new milestone in the city's medical infrastructure,' Ms. Gupta said. This is the first Delhi government hospital to have a NAT Lab, she said, adding that screening reports, which used to take 45 days, will be available within two days here. The NAT is a highly sensitive diagnostic method capable of detecting viral infections like HIV, Hepatitis B, and C at an early stage. The CM also criticised the state of the healthcare infrastructure that the BJP government inherited from previous government, calling it 'deeply concerning.' She added that while the World Health Organisation recommends a minimum of two beds per 1,000 population, not even one bed per 1,000 citizens is available in the Capital. She said that the Delhi government aims to ensure at least three beds per 1,000 people within the next five years.
Time of India
29-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Delhi CM Rekha Gupta inaugurates three units at LNJP Hospital
New Delhi, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday inaugurated three units at LNJP Hospital , and said that treatment of genetic disorders will now be possible at the hospital as the medical genetics ward has come up. Besides the genetics ward, Gupta also inaugurated a Lactation Management Unit and Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing (NAT) lab at the state-run hospital. "The medical genetics lab that has been set up here is the country's fourth and Delhi's first such unit. There are many parents who have to see their children suffer because of genetic disorders," she said. Gupta said there are extraordinary machines in the unit that will aid in research. "I am happy that this department will not only treat genetic diseases but also carry out research on them. By using just a single drop of blood and advanced machines, this unit will also conduct research," she added. Talking about the lactation management unit, she highlighted the importance of breast milk for a newborn baby. "There are many premature babies whose mothers are not in a condition to feed. The mothers who are lactating can donate their milk to this unit and we will build a milk unit. Now it will be possible for premature babies to get breast milk. A mother's milk is quite critical for a child," she added. The chief minister also hit out at the previous government over "lack of medical infrastructure". "The previous government used to tomtom about their health infrastructure. WHO recommends that there should be a minimum of two hospital beds per 1000 people. But in Delhi, there are 0.42 beds for 1000 people. If we also add the private sector, there are 1.5 beds for 1000 people. Such is the situation in the national capital," she said. Recalling the Covid time, she said that many people died due to shortage of beds and medical oxygen. PTI
