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Dimapur, June 22 (EMN): The Minister of Health and Family Welfare, S Pangnyu Phom, informed that the bio-safety level-2 (BSL-2) laboratory at Christian Institute of Health Sciences and Research (CIHSR) in Dimapur would be "inaugurated within a few days time”.
The minister had visited the laboratory on June 22 to inspect the ongoing installation work at CIHSR, a DIPR update informed.
Phom was accompanied by advisor to IPR, SCERT, and VG, Toshi Wungtung and guided by CISHR director Dr. Sedevi Angami and Dr. Nito Yepthomi, who will be heading the BSL-2 lab, the update informed.
Dr. Sedevi informed that ICMR had given approval for the lab and it would be operational once they are satisfied with the test sample done with BSL-2 and the results of which would be uploaded 'probably by tomorrow (June 23)’. “If ICMR are satisfied and happy they will give us the go ahead and the lab would be operational,” the doctor informed.
The team visited the processing room, the RNA extraction rooms, sample storage room kept at minus 80 degree celsius, and were informed on how the BSL-2 would function.
The director also highlighted on the multi-utility of such labs and explained that the facility could be used for several other conditions like TB, HIV, Hepatitis etc. and would immensely strengthen the medical facility/ infrastructure, it informed.
"Many Naga medical scholars who are working and doing research in the mainland will get opportunity to come and work in Nagaland with the installation of such facilities. Already two PhD Naga scholars have applied and one has already joined,” he informed.
Dr. Yepthomi informed the officials that 12 designated staff would be running the lab, which would also comprise of two pathologists and one scientist working in shifts. He added that the present strength of staff would be able to test around 150 to 200 samples but cited that more manpower would be required if the sample goes beyond 200 per day, the statement read.