Government medical college’s viral research & diagnostic lab ranked best

Patiala, July 13

In a major achievement, Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (VRDL) of Government Medical College, Patiala, has been ranked first in the state by the Department of Health Research. 

During the national technical review meeting of VRDL held last week in New Delhi, GMC VRDL was given A-2 grading (good) and was among top 31 laboratories in the country. A team from the Government of India had inspected the GMC Lab in February this year.

The Medical College Laboratory (VRDL) has been attached with 13 districts in the state for testing viral infections, including dengue, chikungunya, swine flu, hepatitis A & E, measles, mumps, rubella and other viral ailments, said Dr Rupinder Kaur Bakshi, Principal Investigator and In-charge, GMC VRDL.

Dr Bakshi said the lab was also a part of the VRDL network of the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR).  She said, “Reports are made available within 24 hours with a well-established sample referral system.”

Principal Medical College Dr KK Aggarwal said they had requested for upgradation of the laboratory. He said after it gets upgraded, the college lab would be inducted for further accreditation by the Government of India. “The lab is showing excellent results for various tests,” he said. — TNS