BSL Lab at NHAK likely to be operational by May first week: Nagaland Governor

Nagaland Governor RN Ravi and others during the weekly COVID-19 review meeting with state officials on April 28. (Photo Courtesy: @RajBhavanKohima/Twitter)

 

Lab in Dimapur ‘likely to be made operational by mid May’

 

Kohima, April 29 (MExN): The Biosafety Level (BSL)-3 laboratory at Naga Hospital Kohima Authority (NHAK) is likely to be “operational by first week of May,” Nagaland Governor RN Ravi announced on Tuesday.

 

“The Governor is happy to announce that the much awaited BSL Lab at NHAK is likely to be operational by first week of May,” tweeted handle of Raj Bhavan Kohima.

 

He made the announcement after the weekly COVID-19 meeting with state officials today on April 28 where State’s preparedness level was reviewed, it said. 

 

At least a BSL-2 laboratory, according to ICMR's protocol, is needed to test COVID-19 samples. 

 

The works for BSL-2 lab at Christian Institute of Health Sciences and Research (CIHSR) Dimapur would commence right after the completion of the lab at NHAK and likely to be made operational by mid May, it added.

 

It may be noted here that works are currently underway for two BSL laboratories in the state.

 

The first consignment of equipments for a BSL-3 laboratory at the Naga Hospital, Kohima was flown in by the Indian Air Force April 16.  Nagaland Health & Family Welfare Minister (H&FW), S Pangnyu Phom tweeted on April 26 that the second consignment for a BSL-2 lab at the CIHSR, Dimapur was also flown in.

 

The Kohima Bench of the Gauhati High Court (GHC) on April 27 also directed Nagaland government to set up atleast two functional “COVID-19 testing labs” within 10 days.

 

According to World Health Organisation, any testing for the presence of the virus responsible for COVID-19 or of clinical specimens from patients meeting the suspected case definition should be performed in appropriately equipped laboratories, by staff trained in the relevant technical and safety procedures.

 

A BSL (1, 2, 3, or 4) is assigned to a biological lab as a safeguard to protect laboratory personnel, as well as the surrounding environment and community.

 

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), a testing facility for COVID-19 should be a BSL-2, including a molecular biology setup for virological diagnosis and availability of staff with a good understanding of laboratory biosafety and biosecurity, and trained to handle respiratory samples for viral diagnosis among others.