AIZAWL, April 3 - Racing against time and working against all odds, Mizoram has installed a COVID-19 testing laboratory at the Zoram Medical College near Aizawl.
State Health Minister Dr R Lalthangliana said that the laboratory became operational from Thursday, but actual testing is yet to be done.
�It is indeed a great achievement that we managed to set up the laboratory in eight days after a committee for setting up a virology laboratory was formed,� Lalthangliana said.
He said that the core committee for setting up the COVID-19 testing laboratory was formed on March 23.
Headed by State Health Secretary H Lalengmawia, the committee comprises legislators with medical background and experts from the Government, hospitals and universities.
Lalthangliana said the committee had been making relentless efforts since its approval by the Centre.
The laboratory was set up using every available equipment from various sources.
BSL-3 chamber and equipment were borrowed from the National Health Mission, RIPRC kits, laboratory plastic ware and consumables from the Mizoram University, multi-channel micropipettes from RIPANS, among others.
Two doctors and two technicians, who were trained at the Silchar Medical College and Hospital, have been deployed at the laboratory.
Dr Pachuau Lalmalsawma, spokesman for COVID-19, said that the samples of suspected COVID-19 patients would be tested at the laboratory and if tested positive, the samples would be sent to the ICMR for confirmation. Once the IMCR gives its approval, it would become fully operational.
