Latest news with #VRDL
The Hindu
05-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Foundation stone laid for Viral Research Diagnostic Lab in Kurnool
Minister for Industries and Commerce T.G. Bharath on Saturday (July 5) said he was committed to developing the Kurnool Government General Hospital. The Minister was here to lay the foundation stone for a Viral Research Diagnostic Lab (VRDL) on the premises of Kurnool Medical College. He said both the GGH and the medical college are prestigious institutions that produced several eminent doctors. 'We are taking steps to develop the hospital on a par with corporate hospitals,' he said. He said the VRDL would help doctors get key tests done in the hospital. The lab is being constructed with Central funds, and the contractor has been asked to complete the construction within three months. 'We will also take steps to complete the construction of the out-patient section, which was halted mid-way after the previous government did not release funds,' he said, adding they recently began 120-slice CT scan provision in the hospital. Officials said with the setting up of VRDL, confirmatory tests for flu, dengue, malaria, COVID and other virus-related ailments could be conducted at the hospital itself. The Centre is spending ₹60 lakh to set up of the lab. Adoni MLA P.V. Pardhasarathi, medical college principal Chitti Narsamma and GGH superintendent Venkateswarlu were present.
Time of India
04-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
BHU's viral research laboratory achieves NABL accreditation for excellence in diagnostics
VARANASI: The Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (VRDL) at the Institute of Medical Sciences (IMS), Banaras Hindu University (BHU), was awarded NABL accreditation under ISO 15189:2012 standards for medical laboratories by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL). According to the BHU spokesperson, this prestigious accreditation recognises the laboratory's ongoing commitment to quality, accuracy, and excellence in diagnostic services and research. The VRDL played a crucial role in viral disease surveillance and diagnostics, particularly during critical periods, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. This achievement was made possible under the leadership of Prof. Gopal Nath, Principal Investigator, and Prof. Pradyot Prakash, Co-Principal Investigator, along with the dedicated efforts of the entire scientific and technical team, including Dr. Sudhir Kumar Singh, Dr. Alka Shukla, Dr. Manoj Kumar , Dr. Mayank Gangwar (shifted to ICMR headquarters), Deepak Kumar, Sonam Rastogi, Digvijay Singh, Pankaj Kumar, Ashish R. Singh, and Ajay Kumar. The NABL accreditation reinforces IMS-BHU's unwavering dedication to upholding international standards in laboratory diagnostics and public health services.
The Hindu
31-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
One more tests positive for COVID-19 in Arunachal Pradesh; tally rises to three
'A 51-year-old man has tested positive for COVID-19 in Arunachal Pradesh, taking the total number of infections in the current wave to three in the State,' a senior health official said on Saturday (May 31, 2025.) 'The man had undergone a rapid antigen test at Ramakrishna Mission Hospital (RKMH) in Itanagar on May 28 and was found positive for the coronavirus infection,' he said. 'Arunachal Pradesh had earlier reported two cases of the new COVID-19 variant on May 27,' State Surveillance Officer Dr. Lobsang Jampa said. 'These cases were detected through RT-PCR tests at the Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (VRDL) of Tomo Riba Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (TRIHMS),' he said. A 34-year-old woman, who is in her 21st week of pregnancy, tested positive after she had developed COVID-like symptoms of fever and mild cough. The woman had arrived in Itanagar from Bengaluru on May 13. The woman's 53-year-old mother also tested positive for the infection but remained asymptomatic. Anti-dam protests spread in Arunachal Pradesh; villagers point to potential submergence of sacred Mishmi tribal cultural 'The pregnant woman is currently admitted to a hospital, while her mother has been placed under isolation,' the official said. Mr. Jampa urged the public not to panic, assuring that the new strain appears to be less severe than earlier variants. 'The Health Department is closely monitoring the situation and taking all necessary precautions to prevent the spread of the virus. We are also tracing all possible contacts the two women may have had,' he added. He noted that a comprehensive public health advisory will be issued soon after consultation with the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in Delhi. 'So far, the State Health Department has tested four samples, of which three have been found positive,' the official added.
Time of India
30-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Health ministry seeks report on preparedness for Covid-19 by June 2
New Delhi: As Covid cases continue to rise across the country, the union health ministry has asked several states and union territories, including Delhi, to put preventive measures in place. As of May 28, India recorded 1,621 active cases with Kerala, Maharashtra, Delhi, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka accounting for over 90% of total active infections. In a letter dated May 29 to state chief secretaries and UT administrators, health secretary Punya Salila Srivastava addressed the seasonal increase in respiratory illnesses caused by various pathogens, including Influenza, SARS-CoV-2 and RSV. "A notable but gradual increase in cases of acute respiratory illnesses (ARIs) due to SARS-CoV-2 is being seen in some parts of the country," the letter mentioned. She stated that most infections were mild, with current Omicron variants JN 1, XFG, and LF 7.9 causing typical symptoms of fever, cough and sore throat that resolve naturally. The letter instructed states and UTs to assess hospital readiness at district and sub-district levels, including medical colleges, tertiary care centres and other inpatient healthcare facilities. This includes ensuring the availability of diagnostics, essential drugs, PPEs, isolation facilities, oxygen supply, critical care beds and ventilator-supported beds. Facilities must conduct mock drills to verify oxygen preparedness. An action taken report has to be shared by June 2. The ministry emphasised following testing protocols as per operational guidelines: testing all SARI cases and 5% of ILI cases. SARI-positive samples have to be forwarded to regional VRDL centres for whole genomic sequencing. District Surveillance Units must monitor ILI/SARI trends, track SARI proportions among cases, and maintain regular data entry on the portal concerned. Through public health education, proper hand and respiratory hygiene practices, including appropriate cough etiquette and avoiding spitting in public, have to be promoted. Vulnerable groups, including elderly and immunocompromised individuals, should avoid crowded, poorly ventilated spaces or wear face masks in such environments. Also, individuals experiencing respiratory symptoms should monitor their health and seek medical attention if they develop serious symptoms like breathing difficulties or chest pain.
Time of India
30-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
ID Hospital in Kolkata sets up 2 Covid isolation wards as 7 new cases emerge at 4 facilities
Two isolation wards have been kept ready at ID Hospital, in case the Covid-19 cases continue to spike KOLKATA: Fresh cases of Covid-19 continued to emerge in Kolkata, with at least seven new cases reported from four hospitals on Wednesday. Health department sources said that while surveillance has increased, two isolation wards have been kept ready at ID Hospital, in case the number spikes. The state-run hospital served as the nodal Covid hospital during the first and second waves of the pandemic. Two patients are being treated at Woodlands Hospital — an 89-year-old man from Alipore and a 41-year-old woman from Thakurpukur. Admitted on Tuesday, the 89-year-old needed oxygen as he was experiencing respiratory distress. Doctors said his condition is improving, and he does not need oxygen now. "This patient, who has several comorbidities, also shows evidence of lung involvement. He is recovering well in the isolation ICU," said critical care specialist Soutik Panda. Sources said the woman came with low-grade fever, headache, malaise, and other symptoms of upper respiratory infection. She, however, does not need oxygen support and is being treated in an isolated cabin. "We currently have only one Covid patient, who is an elderly man with a host of comorbidities. Though he has mild symptoms, the critical care team is taking care of him due to his comorbidities," said critical care specialist Sauren Panja of RN Tagore International Institute of Cardiac Sciences. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 40대 이상이고 PC가 있으세요? 그럼 이 게임을 정말 좋아하실 거예요! Sea of Conquest 플레이하기 Undo "Two more swab samples tested at our lab came out positive on Wednesday," said microbiologist Shelly Sharma Ganguly of Manipal Broadway. Sources said both were OPD patients, and one is on dialysis for renal failure. Two other patients are already admitted in this Salt Lake hospital. Swab samples of two patients admitted at Kolkata Port Trust Hospital, Alipore, tested at ICMR-NIRBI (National Institute for Research in Bacterial Diseases), formerly NICED, also confirmed the infection. Officials at the institute in Beleghata said that its lab has started receiving samples from hospitals that don't have testing facilities. Sources said officials of the institute held an initial round of talks with the health department and assured all possible assistance in case the number increases. "A couple of samples tested in our lab tested positive for Covid-19, including the Port Trust Hospital samples. While there is no reason to panic, we are prepared to play our role in case of a surge. Since we also have a VRDL lab, which can detect various types of infections, we can coordinate with the health department if the state wants," said ICMR-NIRBI director Santasabuj Das. At present, at least 20 Covid-19 patients are being treated in hospitals across the city, including two at Medical College Hospital Kolkata. Sources said that while most patients have comorbidities, at least three children and a few younger adults with no known comorbidities are also among the admitted patients. The health department is yet to come out with a directive on testing or treatment, or on the number of positive cases. "We have stepped up our surveillance activities," said a health official.
